Putin and Kim Jong Un exchanged letters with each other, US discovers what was written on them

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby provided details about the new findings just weeks after the White House said it was a fact that Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, during his recent visit to Phenjan, has called on northeastern officials to increase ammunition sales for Moscow so that Russia can use them for the war in Ukraine.

Kirby said Russia is aiming to secure additional ammunition for artillery and other basic materials to strengthen its defence industry.

He added that the letters exchanged “were more on the surface level”, but the talks between Russia and North Korea on selling weapons have advanced. The leaders exchanged letters after Shoig's visit, he said.

“After Shoig's visit, another group of Russian officials travel to Phenjan to continue discussions on possible arms purchase agreements between the two states”, Kirby said.

Kirby refused to give details about how American officials gathered this intelligence information.

Shortly before the White House published new information regarding the talks between North Korea and Russia on weapons, North Korea launched a ballistic missile toward its eastern waters, the South Korean Army said. This test came hours after the US flew over the Korean Peninsula a long-range bomber to show the force against the North.

The US president's administration, Joe Biden, has repeatedly declared that the Kremlin has become dependent on North Korea and Iran for weapons it needs in the fight against Ukraine. North Korea and Iran are widely isolated states from the international scene because of their nuclear programmes and human rights violations.

In March, the White House said it had collected intelligence information showing Russia was aiming to reach an agreement with North Korea, under which Moscow would offer North food and other products in exchange for ammunition from Phenjan.

Last year, the White House said it had discovered that the Wagner Russian private group of mercenaries had received arms shipments from North Korea, which it used in fighting Ukraine.

Both North Korea and Russia have earlier denied US claims regarding weapons. North Korea, however, is lined up at Russia's side in the war in Ukraine, insisting that the “hegemonistic policy” of the West, which according to it is led by the US, forced Moscow to take military action to protect its national interests.

Any agreement between North Korea and Russia on weapons would present violations of UN resolutions, a resolution supported by Russia. These resolutions forbid all states to buy or obtain weapons from the north.