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A Putin welcome and handshake:See also:
Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is the main subject of the Kim-Putin summit, but there will also be talks about bilateral relations, trade, and humanitarian aid.
The much-anticipated meeting of the two leaders has drawn huge media attention. About 300 accredited journalists flooded the venue, the Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU) campus, to cover the historic summit. Earlier, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the first one-on-one meeting between Kim and Putin would last no longer than an hour and would be followed by consultations featuring officials from both countries.
Like minds, like gifts:
Kim Jong-un spoke about his country's "strength" as he exchanged weapons as presents with Vladimir Putin. The Russian president led his North Korean counterpart through the traditional gift-giving ceremony that accompanies landmark international summits, first offering him a set of handmade gilded glasses. But the highlight was a Russian curved saber that Putin unsheathed as he offered it to the North Korean leader.
As is customary when gifting blades, to avoid bad luck the Russian president included a coin with the sword, which Kim then 'paid back' to him. Kim Jong-un then did the reverse, presenting a traditional straight Korean sword to the Russian president, with a coin of his own. "It represents strength, it represents the soul - mine and that of our people, who support you," said the North Korean leader.
Putin to Trump: 'We have no secrets from US'
"I got the impression that Kim Jong-un is interested in denuclearization, all North Korea needs is guarantees of its security and sovereignty." Putin insisted that the only means for such guarantees is to ensure that international law triumphs over "rule of strength," though noted that it was too early for specifics on how the denuclearization process would be structured.
We are going to discuss the situation with the US. Russia is always open on this - there are no conspiracies. More than that Kim Jong-un personally asked us to inform Washington of his position and the issues he wants to ask about.
But asked if Kim is ready to make more concessions after his last talks with Trump ended in a stalemate, Putin said: "I believe there is no other way, but what he is or isn't ready to give up - you have to ask him that."
Highlights included a lavish dinner and reception before farewell:
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