North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sent a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirming bilateral ties in response to a congratulatory letter from Putin marking the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. KCNA reported the exchange on August 16, 2026, while a Russian ship arrived at a North Korean port and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called for talks with the North on August 15, 2026. Supported reports also note North Korea's deployment of troops and weapons to aid Russia's war in Ukraine.