Russian president, North Korean leader may hold bilateral talks in Beijing: Aide

• Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un will be together during a reception and military parade in Beijing's Tiananmen Square, to be held for 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II
• ‘We assume that their contact at these 2 events will continue on bilateral level,’ says Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov

ISTANBUL

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may have bilateral contacts after Wednesday's events to be held in the Chinese capital Beijing, a Kremlin aide said on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters in the Chinese capital, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said both leaders will be together during a reception and military parade in Beijing's Tiananmen Square, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

“We proceed from the fact that their contact at these two events will continue on a bilateral level,” Ushakov further said.

The presidential aide also commented on an ongoing meeting between Putin and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Beijing, saying their exchange on the “most sensitive issues” continues.

He went on to say that the two have already discussed the main points on their agenda, describing the conversation as “very useful.”

A special armored train carrying the North Korean leader arrived in the Chinese capital on Tuesday, marking his debut on the multilateral diplomatic stage.

Meanwhile, Putin arrived in China on Sunday as part of a four-day visit to the East Asian nation. He took part in a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Tianjin before heading to Beijing for further diplomatic contacts and the celebratory events on Wednesday.

Beijing officially refers to the 1937-1945 period as the "War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression" and considers it a crucial part of the broader "World Anti-Fascist War."