MOSCOW: Russia鈥檚 security chief Sergei Shoigu discussed the Ukraine conflict with North Korea鈥檚 Kim Jong Un on a visit to Pyongyang on Wednesday, Moscow鈥檚 embassy in the reclusive state said.

North Korea has become one of Russia鈥檚 main allies during Moscow鈥檚 more than three-year-long Ukraine offensive, sending thousands of troops to help the Kremlin oust Ukrainian forces from its Kursk border region.

Pyongyang is also largely believed to be arming Russia.

鈥淪ergei Shoigu was received by the Chairman of State Affairs of the DPRK, Kim Jong Un,鈥� the embassy said, adding that they 鈥渆xchanged views on the situation around the Ukrainian crisis and the Korean peninsula.鈥�

It said talks took place 鈥渋n an atmosphere of friendly mutual understanding.鈥�

Shoigu also met with North Korean military official Pak Jong-chon, the embassy said.

Russia鈥檚 TASS news agency said earlier that Shoigu had arrived on the orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Wednesday鈥檚 visit is Shoigu鈥檚 second to Pyongyang in less than three months.

Pyongyang has defended its military cooperation with Russia, saying on Monday that ties were aimed at 鈥渆nsuring peace and stability鈥� in Europe and Asia.

Around 600 North Korean soldiers have been killed and thousands more wounded fighting for Russia, according to South Korean lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun, citing the country鈥檚 intelligence service.

Russia and North Korea signed a sweeping military deal last year, including a mutual defense clause, during a rare visit by Putin to the nuclear-armed North.

Shoigu hailed the deal as 鈥渇ully meeting the interests of both countries鈥� during a visit in March.