Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un gifted each other rifles after a high-level meeting held in Russia's Far East, the Kremlin said.
Putin has sought to strengthen alliances with other hardline leaders ostracized by the West and met with Kim on Thursday amid speculation he would agree to an arms deal.
Putin "gave Kim a high-quality rifle from our production," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
In return, Putin also received a North Korean-made rifle as a gift.
Peskov further said Putin also gave Kim "the gloves of a space suit that has visited space many times." It is interpreted as a wish for the success of North Korea's space travel," Peskov said. "Putin "gratefully" accepted the invitation to visit North Korea.
The friendly relationship between the two leaders comes amid Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine, which has alienated Russia from the West and some of its traditional partners.
US officials and experts say Russia is interested in buying North Korean ammunition for use in Ukraine. (with inputs from Agencies)
