Belarus leader gifts rifle to North Korea’s Kim as they sign friendship treaty

BELARUS: Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has gifted North Korean leader Kim Jong Un with a rifle as they signed a friendship treaty in Pyongyang, state media report.

The two leaders, both key supporters of Russia’s war in Ukraine, agreed to co-operate more closely and resist pressure from the West.

Lukashenko joked to Kim that he brought him an automatic rifle “just in case enemies appear”, according to a video released by Belarusian state media.

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In turn, Kim gave Lukashenko a sword and a vase featuring a portrait of the Belarusian leader.

“I can tell you as a friend, as a person who has already seen everything in this world: a great future awaits your country with this hardworking, disciplined people,” Lukashenko told Kim, according to Belarus news agency Belta.