Belarus leader gifts rifle to Kim Jong Un as friendship treaty signed

Published: Friday, 27 March 2026

The English Chronicle Desk

The English Chronicle Online — World News

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has presented North Korean leader Kim Jong Un with a rifle during a high-profile meeting in Pyongyang, where the two countries signed a new friendship treaty. The symbolic gesture underscored a growing alliance between Minsk and Pyongyang, both of which face international isolation and sanctions.

The treaty, signed in the North Korean capital, pledges closer cooperation in trade, technology, and political support. Lukashenko’s gift of a rifle was described by Belarusian state media as a “token of solidarity and respect,” while North Korean outlets hailed the agreement as a “historic step” in strengthening bilateral ties.

The meeting comes at a time when both nations are seeking to expand their diplomatic reach. Belarus, long a close ally of Russia, has faced mounting Western sanctions over its role in supporting Moscow’s war in Ukraine. North Korea, meanwhile, continues to endure heavy restrictions over its nuclear weapons programme.

Observers note that the treaty could signal a deeper alignment between authoritarian states resisting Western pressure. Analysts suggest the partnership may involve military cooperation, though neither side has confirmed specifics. The rifle gift, however, was widely interpreted as a symbolic nod to shared resistance against perceived external threats.

Kim Jong Un, who has recently intensified his rhetoric against the United States and South Korea, praised Lukashenko for “standing firm against imperialist forces.” Belarusian officials emphasised that the treaty is rooted in “mutual respect and friendship,” framing it as a counterbalance to Western influence.

The development adds to a shifting geopolitical landscape in which isolated states are forging new alliances. While the practical impact of the treaty remains uncertain, the optics of the rifle gift and the signing ceremony highlight a growing willingness among sanctioned regimes to support one another publicly.

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