Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean chief Kim Jong Un took turns driving in a Russian-built Aurus limousine on Wednesday after the Kremlin stated Putin had gifted one of many luxurious autos to Kim.
In a fastidiously staged public relations alternative held amid tight safety, the 2 leaders used the second to indicate how shut their working relationship has turn out to be throughout what was a pageantry-filled go to to Pyongyang by Putin. , the primary in nearly 1 / 4 of a century.
Their stroll came about after the 2 leaders signed an settlement that included a dedication to mutual protection, considered one of Russia’s most vital strikes in Asia in years and which Kim stated amounted to an “alliance.”
A video posted by Russian state tv confirmed Putin leaping behind the wheel of the black armored Aurus, which is his official presidential automotive in Russia, with Kim sitting within the passenger seat.
The automotive is then proven driving down a street that winds its method by means of a fastidiously manicured park space earlier than coming to a cease. A Korean man in a go well with and white gloves is seen opening the door for Kim earlier than working to carry Putin’s door.
Putin and Kim are then proven strolling facet by facet and chatting on a path in a wooded space with two males, presumably translators, strolling behind them.
Kim, who’s believed to be a giant automotive fanatic, is then proven driving again to Putin.
One in all Putin’s aides stated earlier on Wednesday that the Russian chief had given Kim a Russian-built Aurus limousine.
Putin gave Kim a primary Aurus limousine in February this 12 months, each international locations stated on the time, that means he now owns a minimum of two of the autos.
The Aurus Senat, with retro styling impressed by the Soviet-era ZIL limousine, is the official Russian presidential automotive and Putin traveled in a single to his most up-to-date inauguration ceremony on the Kremlin in Could.
When Kim visited jap Russia in September final 12 months, Putin confirmed him one of many autos. Kim sat subsequent to Putin within the automotive and appeared to take pleasure in it.
Kim has a big assortment of luxurious overseas autos which have probably been smuggled in, as UN Safety Council resolutions prohibit the export of luxurious items to North Korea.
He has been seen in a Maybach limousine, a number of Mercedes, a Rolls-Royce Phantom and a Lexus sport utility automobile.
Aurus Motors started manufacturing its automobiles in Russia’s Tatarstan area, about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) from Moscow, in 2021.
A senior Russian official stated final month that Russia would start manufacturing Aurus automobiles at a former Toyota manufacturing facility in St. Petersburg this 12 months.
Russia is in search of methods to make use of automotive factories that have been idled after some world automakers withdrew from the Russian market following Putin’s determination to ship tens of 1000’s of troops to Ukraine in February 2022.
Western sanctions imposed on Russia since then have helped sharply elevate new automotive costs and seen Chinese language producers broaden their market share whereas some mass-market Russian automakers have struggled.
In keeping with the Russian analytical company Autostat, 40 Aurus model automobiles have been offered in Russia to date this 12 months.
