Pyongyang's state media stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin promised North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that the two countries will "expand the comprehensive and constructive bilateral relations with joint common efforts."

On North Korea's liberation day, Putin stated in a letter to Kim that closer ties would be in the interest of both countries, and would further help strengthen the security and stability of the Korean peninsula and the Northeastern Asian region, North Korea's KCNA news agency reported. 

In response, Kim's letter to Putin hailed the North Korean-Russian friendship that had been forged in World War II through the victory over Japan, which had  back then occupied the Korean peninsula.

The two countries' "strategic and tactical collaboration, support, and solidarity" have now achieved a new level in defying threats and provocations from hostile military forces, according to Kim's letter.

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The North Korean leader predicted cooperation between Russia and North Korea would develop based on an agreement signed in 2019 when he met with Putin.

On April 24, Pyongyang pledged to continue strengthening and developing relations with Russia on the eve of the third anniversary of the summit between the two presidents. The summit was held for the first time in the eastern Russian city of Vladivostok on April 25, 2019.

In July, North Korea's embassy in Moscow told Sputnik that it announced its recognition of the independence of the Lugansk People's Republic (LPR) and the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR).

"We confirm [the recognition of the DPR, LPR]," the DPRK embassy stated, adding that the corresponding note was sent to the Russian embassy in Pyongyang.