Russia hosts North Korea’s top diplomat for talks on ties amid concerns over alleged arms deal

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov have hosted North Korea’s foreign minister for talks on expanding ties between the countries. There are international concerns over an alleged arms cooperation deal between Pyongyang and Moscow after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un traveled to Russia in September to meet Putin and visit several military sites. The U.S. and South Korea have accused North Korea of providing artillery munitions and missiles to Russia for its military action in Ukraine. Both Russia and North Korea have dismissed accusations of North Korean arms transfers to Russia.