{"id":1894332,"date":"2026-04-21T12:20:54","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T09:20:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1894332"},"modified":"2026-04-21T12:20:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T09:20:54","slug":"russia-and-north-korea-connect-road-bridge-ahead-of-summer-opening-moscow-says","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1894332","title":{"rendered":"Russia and North Korea connect road bridge ahead of summer opening, Moscow says"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/73\/01\/23\/1200x675_cmsv2_3c94a193-eaac-53c4-aad2-9dfa5d89c597-9730123.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2887876-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2887876\" data-cid=\"9730118\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887876-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/73\/01\/18\/189x106_cmsv2_cd521e7f-bb7f-56b9-a03e-6dd7c3e4a2a6-9730118.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The Green Coast hotel opened in Albania in June 2025\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Destinations<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Travelling to Albania? Here\u2019s what\u2019s new for visitors to see in 2026\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887861-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2887861\" data-cid=\"9730098\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887861-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/73\/00\/98\/189x106_cmsv2_71b33577-a2d6-5b75-8c27-1b3a4130066a-9730098.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"People gather during a memorial procession in Crans-Montana, 4 January, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Italy&#8217;s PM criticises Swiss hospital for billing victims of bar fire\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887649-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2887649\" data-cid=\"9730165\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887649-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/73\/01\/65\/189x106_cmsv2_f32d97fc-6df8-5c30-99ba-0ec6e8ba2da3-9730165.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A street surrounded by buildings destroyed by Israeli air and ground operations in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on 9 April 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Gaza<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Gaza reconstruction to cost over $71 billion, EU-UN report says\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887490-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2887490\" data-cid=\"9729606\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887490-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/51\/95\/96\/189x106_cmsv2_4a054455-c1b2-530d-8715-41362925eda3-9519596.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Atop the Acropolis ancient hill, tourists visit the Parthenon temple in Athens, Greece\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Travel News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    \u2018We must not become Barcelona\u2019: Athens considers banning new hotels\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887876-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2887876\" data-cid=\"9730118\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887876-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/73\/01\/18\/189x106_cmsv2_cd521e7f-bb7f-56b9-a03e-6dd7c3e4a2a6-9730118.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The Green Coast hotel opened in Albania in June 2025\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Destinations<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Travelling to Albania? Here\u2019s what\u2019s new for visitors to see in 2026\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887861-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2887861\" data-cid=\"9730098\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887861-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/73\/00\/98\/189x106_cmsv2_71b33577-a2d6-5b75-8c27-1b3a4130066a-9730098.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"People gather during a memorial procession in Crans-Montana, 4 January, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Italy&#8217;s PM criticises Swiss hospital for billing victims of bar fire\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887649-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2887649\" data-cid=\"9730165\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887649-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/73\/01\/65\/189x106_cmsv2_f32d97fc-6df8-5c30-99ba-0ec6e8ba2da3-9730165.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A street surrounded by buildings destroyed by Israeli air and ground operations in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on 9 April 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Gaza<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Gaza reconstruction to cost over $71 billion, EU-UN report says\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887490-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2887490\" data-cid=\"9729606\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887490-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/51\/95\/96\/189x106_cmsv2_4a054455-c1b2-530d-8715-41362925eda3-9519596.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Atop the Acropolis ancient hill, tourists visit the Parthenon temple in Athens, Greece\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Travel News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    \u2018We must not become Barcelona\u2019: Athens considers banning new hotels\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          News<\/p>\n<p>                          World<\/p>\n<p>                          North Korea<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Russia and North Korea connect road bridge ahead of summer opening, Moscow says<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/73\/01\/23\/1536x864_cmsv2_3c94a193-eaac-53c4-aad2-9dfa5d89c597-9730123.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"North Korean and Russian flags are seen at the Vostochny cosmodrome outside the city of Tsiolkovsky, 13 September, 2023\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              North Korean and Russian flags are seen at the Vostochny cosmodrome outside the city of Tsiolkovsky, 13 September, 2023<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspGavin Blackburn\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1776774054\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-04-21 14:20:54 +02:00\">21\/04\/2026 &#8211; 14:20 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div id=\"js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup\" class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup\">\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__header u-display-flex\"><span>Share<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-close.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"Close Button\" class=\"u-cursor-pointer 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decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Ties between both countries have surged amid Russia&#8217;s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with Moscow and Pyongyang deepening economic, political, cultural and military links.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>Russia and North Korea held a ceremony on Tuesday to mark the joining of the first road bridge connecting the two countries which is set to open for traffic this summer, Moscow said.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Ties between the two heavily sanctioned countries have surged amid Russia&#8217;s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with Moscow and Pyongyang deepening economic, political, cultural and military links.<\/p>\n<p>South Korea warned last week that Chinese and Russian support was helping revive the North Korean economy, which has struggled for years under sweeping international sanctions, almost complete international isolation and huge military investment.<\/p>\n<p>Moscow&#8217;s foreign ministry said the opening of the bridge would &#8220;become a truly landmark stage in Russian\u2013Korean relations. Its significance goes far beyond a purely engineering task.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/73\/01\/23\/808x539_cmsv2_ee0cad79-3305-5990-97f7-2a399178b4e7-9730123.jpg\" alt=\"Weapons are shown during a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Worker's Party in Pyongyang, 10 October, 2025\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Weapons are shown during a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Worker&#8217;s Party in Pyongyang, 10 October, 2025<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The bridge, which crosses the Tumen river that marks the border between the two countries, will be able to handle up to 300 vehicles and 2,850 people a day, Russia&#8217;s transport ministry said.<\/p>\n<p>Russia and North Korea inked a defence treaty in 2024 that calls for military support in the case of either country being attacked.<\/p>\n<p>Pyongyang that year sent thousands of troops to Russia to support its war on Ukraine. They were deployed to the western Kursk region to held fend off a months-long counter-offensive by Kyiv&#8217;s forces.<\/p>\n<p>Several senior Russian officials have visited North Korea recently, including the interior minister, currently in the country.<\/p>\n<p>Russia&#8217;s foreign ministry said the bridge would help &#8220;develop trade, economic and humanitarian exchanges&#8221; between Russia&#8217;s Far East and North Korea.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/73\/01\/23\/808x539_cmsv2_bedcf1b1-db0e-56d9-bc63-d24623fed892-9730123.jpg\" alt=\"Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev is welcomed on his arrival at Pyongyang International Airport, 20 April, 2026\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev is welcomed on his arrival at Pyongyang International Airport, 20 April, 2026<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>North Korea does not publish official data on the size of its economy.<\/p>\n<p>Its nominal gross domestic product was equivalent to about $30 billion (\u20ac25 billion) in 2024, according to Seoul&#8217;s official estimate, a tiny fraction of the South Korean economy, one of the most developed in the world.<\/p>\n<p>North Korea has long faced shortages. A famine in the mid-1990s killed hundreds of thousands of people and reports indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic also pushed many into extreme hunger.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<footer class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-contributors c-article-contributors-supplementary u-margin-top-2 u-padding-top-2\">\n<p>Additional sources<strong> \u2022 AFP<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  North Korea conducts multiple ballistic missile tests<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  China and Russia ties driving North Korean economic recovery, Seoul ministry says<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  North Korea showing &#8216;serious increase&#8217; in ability to make nuclear weapons, IAEA says<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    Russia<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    North Korea<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    War in Ukraine<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    Russia&#8217;s invasion of Ukraine<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    Sanctions<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    Economy<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2887766-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887766\" data-cid=\"9729506\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887766-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/95\/06\/320x180_cmsv2_ec3a5a35-876b-5cca-bf56-8a48f197ccde-9729506.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A police officer walks past billboards near the Serena Hotel ahead of the second round of negotiations between the US and Iran in Islamabad, 21 April, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    No Iran delegation sent to talks with US yet as truce set to expire<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2887790-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887790\" data-cid=\"9729640\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887790-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/96\/40\/320x180_cmsv2_9aaec376-b058-5fe2-951b-7ec34ea8940b-9729640.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Participants in the Pride march cross the Elisabeth Bridge in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, June 28, 2025. 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src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887766-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887766\" data-cid=\"9729506\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887766-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" 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(AP Photo\/Rudolf Karancsi)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU Court rules Hungary&#8217;s anti LGTBQ+ law breaches core values<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887803-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887803\" data-cid=\"9729751\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887803-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/97\/51\/320x180_cmsv2_1497bb4e-00d2-5058-ba77-95644c9d6610-9729751.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"European Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU optimistic about ending Hungary&#8217;s veto on \u20ac90bn loan for Ukraine<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887861-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887861\" data-cid=\"9730098\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887861-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/73\/00\/98\/320x180_cmsv2_71b33577-a2d6-5b75-8c27-1b3a4130066a-9730098.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"People gather during a memorial procession in Crans-Montana, 4 January, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Italy&#8217;s PM criticises Swiss hospital for billing victims of bar fire<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887774-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887774\" data-cid=\"9730016\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887774-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/73\/00\/16\/320x180_cmsv2_57d53044-728e-5aec-a018-4e42cecdd5ea-9730016.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A portrait of late Hezbollah leader placed on a destroyed building in Beirut, 20 April, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Lebanon&#8217;s PM to visit France amid shaky truce and Israel tensions<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887576-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887576\" data-cid=\"9728500\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Stranded cruise ships on way to Europe after passing Strait of Hormuz<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887652-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887652\" data-cid=\"9728948\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Whale stranded on German coast swims off and gets stuck again<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887687-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887687\" data-cid=\"9729167\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Trump refuses to lift Hormuz blockade until Iran deal agreed<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887010-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887010\" data-cid=\"9726054\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU population to fall by 12% by 2100: Which countries most affected?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887638-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887638\" data-cid=\"9728991\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;If Druzhba is operational, Zelenskyy should open it,&#8217; Magyar says<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Russia and North Korea held a ceremony on Tuesday to mark the joining of the first road bridge connecting the two countries which is set to open for traffic this summer, Moscow said.Ties between the two heavily sanctioned countries have surged amid Russia&#8217;s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with Moscow and Pyongyang deepening economic, political, cultural and military links.South Korea warned last week that Chinese and Russian support was helping revive the North Korean economy, which has struggled for years under sweeping international sanctions, almost complete international isolation and huge military investment.Moscow&#8217;s foreign ministry said the opening of the bridge would &#8220;become a truly landmark stage in Russian\u2013Korean relations. Its significance goes far beyond a purely engineering task.&#8221;The bridge, which crosses the Tumen river that marks the border between the two countries, will be able to handle up to 300 vehicles and 2,850 people a day, Russia&#8217;s transport ministry said.Russia and North Korea inked a defence treaty in 2024 that calls for military support in the case of either country being attacked.Pyongyang that year sent thousands of troops to Russia to support its war on Ukraine. They were deployed to the western Kursk region to held fend off a months-long counter-offensive by Kyiv&#8217;s forces.Several senior Russian officials have visited North Korea recently, including the interior minister, currently in the country.Russia&#8217;s foreign ministry said the bridge would help &#8220;develop trade, economic and humanitarian exchanges&#8221; between Russia&#8217;s Far East and North Korea.North Korea does not publish official data on the size of its economy.Its nominal gross domestic product was equivalent to about $30 billion (\u20ac25 billion) in 2024, according to Seoul&#8217;s official estimate, a tiny fraction of the South Korean economy, one of the most developed in the world.North Korea has long faced shortages. A famine in the mid-1990s killed hundreds of thousands of people and reports indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic also pushed many into extreme hunger.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/04\/21\/russia-and-north-korea-connect-road-bridge-ahead-of-summer-opening-moscow-says&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/73\/01\/23\/1200x675_cmsv2_3c94a193-eaac-53c4-aad2-9dfa5d89c597-9730123.jpg&#8221;] Destinations Travelling to Albania? 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