North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un in Russia to meet Vladimir Putin

North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un, right, steps down from his train after crossing the border to Russia at Khasan, about 127km (79 miles) south of Vladivostok (Governor of the Russian far eastern region of Primorsky Krai Oleg Kozhemyako telegram channel via AP)

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un has rolled through Russia on an armoured train towards a meeting with President Vladimir Putin, a rare encounter between isolated leaders driven together by their need for support in escalating stand-offs with the West.

Mr Kim is expected to seek economic aid and military technology for his impoverished country, and, in a twist, appears to have something Mr Putin desperately needs: munitions for Russia’s gruelling war in Ukraine.