North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un met with Russian President Vladimir Putin Wednesday as the two arrived at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia’s Far East, set for rare talks, writes DW.

The two leaders met at a remote Siberian rocket launch facility, and began with the inspection of a Soyuz-2 space rocket launch facility. Their decision to meet at this venue may suggest Kim is seeking Russian assistance for developing military satellites.

“That’s why we came here. The leader of the DPRK shows great interest in rocket engineering, they are also trying to develop space”, said Putin when asked by Russian reporters whether Russia would help North Korea build satellites.

Kim told Putin that North Korea would be “together” with Russia in what he termed a “fight against imperialism”, seemingly a reference to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine and the West’s response.

“Russia has risen to a sacred fight to protect its sovereignty and security... against the hegemonic forces. We will always support the decisions of President Putin and the Russian leadership... and we will be together in the fight against imperialism”, Kim told Putin via a translator.

Kim reached Russia in his bullet-proof train, the state-run Korean Central News Agency reported.

He arrived in a limousine that was brought in his train from Pyongyang. Putin said he was “very glad to see” him, and said the meeting was taking place at a “special time”, referring to the 75th anniversary of North Korea’s foundation.