Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has already exchanged several firm handshakes with Kim Jong-un during his visit to Pyongyang on Thursday. Photos show the two engaged in pleasant diplomatic protocol.

In one of the photos, Lavrov has a relaxed, good-natured expression, while Kim apparently took a more formal approach to the photo-op. The Russian diplomat has travelled to the North Korean capital to hold talks with senior officials aimed at supporting intra-Korean negotiations and de-escalation on the Korean Peninsula.

Lavrov added a bit of suspense to his meeting with Kim when he presented him with a box, leaving bystanders guessing what’s inside.

“You can lock secret things here,” the top Russian diplomat said with a smile as he gave the North’s leader a key to it.

During the meeting, Lavrov and North Korea’s leader pledged to do their utmost to secure peace talks to ease the Korean knot. Next time, both may hold talks in Moscow, as Lavrov has invited Kim to pay a visit to Russia. “We’ll be happy if you come visit,” Lavrov said, with Kim in turn sending his best wishes to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

#Лавров во время встречи с Председателем Госсовета КНДР Ким Чен Ыном: Заинтересованы в том, чтобы как на Корейском полуострове, так и в целом в Северо-Восточной Азии была обстановка мира, стабильности и процветанияhttps://t.co/tkYW32AVjupic.twitter.com/5WNZB7pkI9 — МИД России 🇷🇺 (@MID_RF) May 31, 2018

Russian Foreign Minister also caught up with his North Korean counterpart Ri Yong-ho. Lavrov stressed that the ultimate goal of Korean denuclearization cannot be reached as long as sanctions against Pyongyang are in place.

Like this story? Share it with a friend!