Belarus leader gifts North Korea's Kim with rifle as they sign friendship treaty

Two key supporters of Russia's war in Ukraine close ranks as Alexander Lukashenko visits Pyongyang.

Watch LiveBritish Broadcasting CorporationHomeNewsSportBusinessTechnologyHealthCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveDocumentariesHomeNewsUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessWorld of BusinessTechnology of BusinessNYSE Opening BellTechnologyWatch DocumentariesArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindHealthWatch DocumentariesCultureWatch DocumentariesFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsWatch DocumentariesArts in MotionTravelWatch DocumentariesDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthWatch DocumentariesScienceNatural WondersClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingAudioPodcast CategoriesRadioAudio FAQsVideoWatch DocumentariesBBC MaestroDiscover the WorldLiveLive NewsLive SportDocumentariesHomeNewsSportBusinessTechnologyHealthCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveDocumentariesWeatherNewslettersWatch LiveBelarus leader gifts rifle to North Korea's Kim as they sign friendship treaty1 day agoShareSaveKoh EweShareSaveBelarus press poolThe rilfle was "just in case enemies appear", Lukashenko told KimBelarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has gifted North Korean leader Kim Jong Un 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 had brought him an automatic rifle "just in case enemies appear", according to a video released by Belarusian state media.

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 Belarusian news agency Belta.