Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent more than 70 animals, including African lions, brown bears and cockatoos, to Pyongyang in a sign of growing ties between Russia and North Korea. This unusual diplomatic move is a sign of solidarity and strengthening ties between the two countries in recent months.

The animals, including two yaks, were airlifted from the Moscow Zoo to the main zoo in Pyongyang, accompanied by a team of veterinarians. “This is a gift from Vladimir Putin to Pyongyang,” according to the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

The move follows a series of events that highlight the deepening alliance between Russia and North Korea, including the August deployment of North Korean troops to Russia, where they have supported Russian forces in the ongoing war against Ukraine. of

Speaking about the gift, Russian Minister of Natural Resources, Alexander Kozlov, said, “Cooperation between Russia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is not only about economics, trade and industry. It is a long list of nature conservation projects. Now, the friendship between the Moscow and Pyongyang zoos has joined them.

In addition to the yak, the animals sent to North Korea included an African tiger, two brown bears, five white cockatoos, 25 species of pheasants and 40 mandarin ducks, all of which were transferred to the central zoo in Pyongyang.

Moscow Zoo General Director Svetlana Akolova emphasized that the animal migration is part of a broader effort to strengthen scientific and educational cooperation between the two countries. “We intend to expand cooperation on issues related to joint scientific and educational activities, as well as exchange experience and information on the care of rare animal species,” said Akulova.

This exchange is not the first of its kind. Earlier this year, in April, Russia sent more than 40 animals, including eagles, parrots and pythons, to the Pyongyang Zoo, according to a report by the Russian news agency, TASS. In return, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sent two rare Pingsan hunting dogs to Putin in June 2024, ahead of the Russian president’s planned visit to Pyongyang.

In June, Russia and North Korea renewed a Cold War-era mutual defense pact, and according to the Pentagon, more than 10,000 North Korean troops have been stationed in Russia’s Kursk region, where clashes with Ukrainian forces have intensified since August. The fight continues. The New York Times.

North Korea is suffering from the severe effects of international sanctions, food shortages and a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic and natural disasters.

The country’s most pressing needs go far beyond zoo animals. It faces significant challenges in acquiring essential resources such as foreign currency, oil and advanced weapons expertise that are critical to its military ambitions.

(Translation of tags) Russia (T) Vladimir Putin (T) North Korea



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