Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a mutual defence agreement with North Korea's Kim Jong Un, who offered his "full support" on Ukraine. The pledge of military cooperation on Wednesday was part of a strategic treaty signed during a summit in Pyongyang, where Putin was making his first visit in 24 years.

Vladimir Putin said Russia and North Korea have ramped up ties to a “new level,” pledging to help each other if either nation is attacked in a “breakthrough” new partnership announced during the Russian president’s rare visit to the reclusive state.

Russian state media showed Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un shaking hands, embracing and talking beside Putin's plane. It touched down in Pyongyang around 2:45 am following a stopover in Russia's far east. The leaders then rode in the same limousine and walked together into Putin's hotel.