Vladivostok: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is not expected to visit Russia in the near future, a Russian news agency reported, citing a Kremlin spokesperson. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded "No" when asked by reporters whether Kim would visit Russia soon, including during the Eastern Economic Forum, scheduled for September in Vladivostok near the border with North Korea, Ria Novosti reported.

According to Yonhap News Agency, as North Korea and Russia marked the first anniversary this month of the signing of a mutual defense treaty between Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin, speculation has emerged that Kim may travel to Russia for a summit with Putin. While visiting Pyongyang for the signing last year, Putin extended an invitation to Kim to visit Russia for talks.

Russia's annual Eastern Economic Forum, slated for Sept. 3-6, has been speculated on as a possible occasion for Kim's trip to Russia and a summit with Putin. Kim has visited Russia twice so far, in 2019 and 2023, for talks with Putin, but both trips took place in Russia's eastern regions near North Korea, due apparently to security and logistical reasons.

In a separate dispatch, Ria Novosti reported North Korea will be among more than 60 countries to send representatives to the 10th Eastern Economic Forum, citing Russia's minister for the development of the Russian Far East.