Putin taunts West as North Korean trip confirmed

Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to North Korea on Tuesday, the Kremlin has confirmed, after months of speculation over the much-hyped visit.

After Kim Jong Un’s big green bulletproof train trundled around Russia’s Far East last year, the North Korean leader invited Mr. Putin to visit him. That invitation was duly accepted.

Over the past week sources had hinted that the visit was imminent, and satellite images had also spied apparent preparations under way in North Korea.

With the “when” answered, next comes the clamouring for any news of deals done, any consequences for the war in Ukraine, as well as any eye-popping images of the pomp and ceremony that will surely accompany the two leaders' visit.