Published on 26/03/2026 The two leaders sign a new friendship treaty during Lukashenka's visit to Pyongyang, deepening their anti- 11:23 GMT+1 • Updated
14:32Western alliance and backing Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Belarusian President Aliaksandr Lukashenka gifted Kim Jong-un an automatic rifle during his maiden visit to Pyongyang, joking that the North Korean leader may need it "in case enemies appear", state media said Thursday.
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The two leaders signed a "friendship and cooperation" treaty on the same day, cementing an alliance between two authoritarian regimes aligned against the West and supporting Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine.
Lukashenka hailed the document as "fundamental" and said relations between the two countries are "entering a new stage," according to his press service.
“Yes, we didn’t have close cooperation, largely due to our own fault. But I am sincerely pleased to note that cooperation has now significantly intensified,” Lukashenka said.
Kim expressed "solidarity and full support" for Belarus and spoke out "against unlawful pressure on Belarus from the West," Lukashenka's press service said.
As part of the official ceremony, Lukashenka visited the Liberation Monument dedicated to Soviet soldiers and laid flowers at the request of Russian President Vladimir Putin "in gratitude for Russia's assistance" in the war in Ukraine.
In return for the automatic rifle, Kim presented Lukashenka with a large mosaic vase bearing a portrait of the Belarusian leader, explaining that crafting it involved around 30 seashells.
The visit was wrapped up with Kim personally accompanying Lukashenka to the airport for a "warm farewell", it added.
Belarus is a close ally of Russia. Lukashenka allowed Moscow to use Belarusian territory as a staging ground for the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and later authorised the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.
Lukashenka, 71, has been in power in Belarus since 1994 and has been a staunch supporter of Moscow since the start of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Belarus served as a launchpad for the invasion, and Russia later deployed tactical nuclear weapons there.
Kim has also tilted his foreign policy toward Moscow in recent years, sending thousands of troops and large quantities of weapons to support Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine while portraying Pyongyang as part of a united front against Washington.
Russia and North Korea signed a strategic partnership agreement in 2024 that obligates either side to provide "military and other assistance" if the other is attacked.
Analysts say North Korea is receiving financial aid, military technology, food and energy supplies from Russia, helping Pyongyang reduce its reliance on its long-time backer China.
Belarus and North Korea both remain under Western sanctions, and both regimes are accused of gross human rights violations.
"We oppose the West's illegal pressure on Belarus and express our support and understanding for the measures taken by the Belarusian leadership to ensure social and political stability, as well as economic development," Belta quoted Kim as saying.
Additional sources• AP, AFPGo to accessibility shortcuts
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