The last time Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin met, it was a very different world.

April 2019, in Vladivostok, Russia, just over the border from North Korea.

I propose a toast to the far away country of friendship and cooperation.

Over-Champaign at a reception, Putin said,

I propose a toast to further strengthening our friendship.

The meeting was about strengthening that alliance.

The two leaders discussed denuclearization and potential arms deals.

No specific agreements were made.

But at the time, Russia was not at war.

Now, North Korea is one of the few countries to openly support Russia

since its invasion of Ukraine last year.

This week, Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin are expected to meet for the first time since 2019,

and the White House is concerned.

And we will continue to call on North Korea to abide by its public commitments,

not to supply weapons to Russia that will end up killing Ukraine.

That's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan speaking at a press conference this week.

The U.S. has placed targeted sanctions to prevent North Korea from supplying weapons to Russia.

Last year, the White House said the Wagner Group, a private Russian military force,

took a delivery of arms from North Korea.

North Korea denied this and said they have no plans to supply Russia with weapons,

as National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan put it.

What has changed in their calculus is not something that I can speak to.

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