North Korea’s Kim Jong Un and Russia’s Vladimir Putin have met face-to-face for the first time since 2019, sending shivers down the spine of the free world. The summit took place at the heart of Russia’s space program, the Vostochny Cosmodrome, setting the stage for discussions that ranged from the Ukraine crisis to potential military cooperation.

The audacity of Kim’s support for Russia’s war in Ukraine, referring to it as a “just fight against hegemonic forces,” is a slap in the face of international law and human rights. His claim of North Korea standing with Russia on the “anti-imperialist front” reeks of hypocrisy and blatant disregard for the democratic principles that underpin our global society.

But it doesn’t stop there. The potential military alliance between these two nations could spell disaster for global security. Putin hinted at the possibilities of cooperation, stating, “There are things that we can of course talk about, discuss, think about it. And here too there are prospects.” This ominous statement leaves us wondering what kind of unholy alliance might be brewing between these two controversial leaders.

Reports suggest Putin is seeking ammunition and weapons for his war in Ukraine, while Kim is likely after food and missile technology. If true, this could dramatically escalate tensions and further destabilize an already volatile situation. The White House has warned that such arms deals would violate United Nations Security Council resolutions, yet it appears these warnings are falling on deaf ears.

Adding fuel to the fire, Putin seems keen to help North Korea advance its space program. Given North Korea’s failed attempts at launching a space satellite this year alone, one can only imagine the devastating potential should they gain access to Russian technology. Leif-Eric Easley, professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, rightly labels the site location of the summit as “provocative.”

The U.S. State Department’s James O’Brien blasted the summit, stating, “Russia is now overtly engaging with a country that the U.N. has sanctioned. And that’s very problematic for Russia’s global position.” Indeed, this audacious move by Putin and Kim could significantly alter the global power dynamic, forcing the free world to reconsider its approach to these rogue nations.

This chilling meeting between two of the world’s most controversial leaders underscores the urgent need for decisive action from the international community. As we grapple with the potential implications of this unholy alliance, one thing is clear…complacency is not an option.