Alexander Lukashenko has signed a friendship agreement with Kim Jong Un during his first official visit to North Korea. The two leaders held a high-level meeting aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation.
During the meeting, Lukashenko presented Kim Jong Un with an automatic rifle as a gift. In a light-hearted remark, he joked that the weapon would be useful if an enemy appears, prompting laughter from Kim, who examined the firearm and even tested its reloading mechanism.
According to international media reports, the visit reflects Belarus’s ongoing efforts to deepen relations with allies of Russia and other nations opposed to Western influence. At the same time Belarus appears to be cautiously exploring improved relations with the United States.
The visit comes shortly after Lukashenko met U.S. envoy John Quayle and Belarus released around 250 political prisoners a move seen as part of efforts to ease Western sanctions. Analysts view this diplomatic balancing act as a strategic attempt by Belarus to maintain ties with both Eastern allies and Western powers.
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