North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui is in Russia this week for talks with her counterpart Sergei Lavrov as the two countries deepen their economic, political and military ties.

Choe arrived in Moscow yesterday, Sunday, and was received by officials from the Russian Foreign Ministry and the North Korean Embassy, ​​North Korea’s state-run KCNA news agency reported today.

As Russia’s international isolation has increased because of its war in Ukraineanalysts say Moscow is placing increasing value on its relations with North Korea.

On North Korea’s side, relations with Russia have not always been as warm as they were under the Soviet Union, but the country benefits from Moscow’s need for friends.

North Korea on Sunday test-fired a new solid-fueled medium-range hypersonic missile, KCNA reported, in a move condemned by the United States, South Korea and Japan.

Choe’s visit will last until the day after tomorrow, Wednesday, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced. It comes as the United States and its allies accuse Moscow of launching North Korean-made ballistic missiles and other weapons at targets in Ukraine.