Russian President Vladimir Putin has given his approval to a draft of a strategic partnership treaty with North Korea, which is expected to be signed during his upcoming visit to Pyongyang.

Putin’s two-day state visit will include a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, as well as discussions on various topics such as security, the economy, and the international agenda. Just before Putin’s arrival, Moscow released a presidential decree accepting the proposal for a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement between Russia and North Korea.

The signing of the agreement will occur at the highest level, and the Russian Foreign Ministry has the authority to make non-fundamental changes to the draft. Putin’s foreign policy aide, Yury Ushakov, stated that the treaty will replace previous agreements between the two countries and will consider recent developments in their relations.

The aim of the agreement is to promote stability in the North-East Asia region and is not intended to be confrontational towards any countries.

This announcement follows Putin’s earlier statement that Russia intends to strengthen its ties with North Korea, regardless of others’ opinions. In an article published in a North Korean newspaper, Putin also emphasized the development of alternative trade and settlement mechanisms that are not controlled by the West and the joint opposition to unilateral restrictions.