North Korea’s Kim Jong-un rolled into Russia on an armoured train Tuesday to see President Vladimir Putin, a rare meeting between isolated leaders driven together by their need for support in escalating standoffs with the West.

A Russian state TV correspondent on Tuesday published a video clip of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un disembarking from his train in Russia and being greeted by Russian officials.

Separately, Russia’s natural resources minister said he had met Kim, Russian state news agency RIA reported. Kim is expected to have talks during his visit with President Vladimir Putin, who is currently visiting Russia’s Far East region.

Kim is expected to seek economic aid and military technology for his impoverished country, and, in an unusual twist, appears to have something Putin desperately needs: munitions for Russia’s gruelling war in Ukraine.

This meeting is a chance for the North Korean leader to get around crippling UN sanctions and years of isolation. For Putin, it’s an opportunity to refill ammunition stores. Any arms deal with North Korea would violate the sanctions.