Neither of the foreign ministers directly mentioned the deployment of thousands of North Korean soldiers in Russia ahead of their expected arrival on the frontline.
North Korea has become a key ally for Russia since the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, supplying artillery shells and missiles.
Antony Blinken, Washington’s top diplomat, said he believed Pyongyang may have already stationed as many as 8,000 troops to Kursk, which was invaded by Ukraine in August.
They could be deployed on the frontline “within days”, officials believe, once Russia’s upper house of parliament rubber-stamps a “mutual military assistance” pact agreed by Vladimir Putin and Kim.