Cold War resurrection: Russia revives North Korean mutual defence deal that fell with Soviet Union

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un during their meeting in September 2023. (Vladimir Smirnov/ Pool/AFP)

North Korea released the text of a new treaty with Russia on Thursday, showing the countries had rolled back their relationship to something close to Cold War times.

The deal also implies Russia will help North Korea to overcome Western sanctions – likely by using financial plumbing South Africa has vowed to help it develop.

Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un signed the agreement in a blaze of publicity during a state visit to Pyongyang on Wednesday, with Putin describing it as a “breakthrough”, and Kim suggesting it made the countries into allies.