Russia and North Korea have signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty, an agreement to construct a border road bridge across the Tumen River and a cooperation agreement in healthcare, medical education and science. The two countries signed the agreements during Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s state visit to Pyongyang on Wednesday.

The strategic partnership agreement provides for “mutual assistance” in the event of “aggression” against either country, Russian state media cited Putin as saying. Putin also reportedly praised North Korea’s support of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, stating that it is “another proof of its [North Korea’s] sovereign policy.”

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