The Digester
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Belarus president gifts rifle to Kim as leaders sign friendship treaty in Pyongyang

Alexander Lukashenko presented an automatic rifle to Kim Jong Un as they signed a treaty to deepen cooperation in Pyongyang, with both leaders stressing resistance to Western pressure amid ties to Russia.

Mar 27th 2026 · Belarus

Insights

  • Alexander Lukashenko visited Pyongyang and presented Kim Jong Un with an automatic rifle, saying it was given "just in case enemies appear".
  • Kim Jong Un gave Lukashenko a sword and a vase bearing the Belarusian leader's portrait.
  • The two leaders signed a friendship treaty committing to closer cooperation in areas including agriculture, information and public health.
  • Both Belarus and North Korea are under Western sanctions for alleged human rights abuses and for supporting Russia's war in Ukraine.
  • Western officials say North Korea has sent fighters to support Russia in Ukraine, with about 1,000 North Korean soldiers reported killed early in the war.
  • Lukashenko and Kim framed the treaty as a guarantee of sovereign protection and stable development of bilateral relations, while Ukraine has accused Russia of using Belarusian territory to strike Ukrainian targets.

Sources