Putin vows trade, security agreements with North Korea ahead of visit

News Snapshot:

Vladimir Putin promised to build trade and security systems with North Korea that are not controlled by the West and pledged his unwavering support in a letter published by North Korean state media on Tuesday ahead of his planned visit to the country. In a letter published in North Korea's Rodong Sinmun, a ruling Workers' Party mouthpiece, the Russian president said the two countries have developed good relations and partnerships over the past 70 years based on equality, mutual respect and trust. "We will develop alternative mechanisms of trade and mutual settlements that are not controlled by the West, and...