North Korea's Foreign Minister met with Russian President Putin in Moscow on 19th July, according to KCNA

• North Korea reaffirmed support for Russian policies aimed at removing root causes of Ukraine conflict, while Russia expressed support for North Korea's efforts to defend its sovereign rights and security interests.

The meeting between North Korea's Foreign Minister and President Putin signals a potential strengthening of ties between the two nations, particularly in the context of the ongoing Ukraine conflict. This collaboration could lead to increased geopolitical tensions, particularly for Western nations, and may influence commodities markets such as energy and metals, given both countries' positions in these sectors.