Analysis: Beijing invite a big triumph for Kim Jong Un – and bad news for Ukrainians

China’s largest ever military parade will bring more than two dozen world leaders together in Beijing tomorrow to mark 80 years since Japan’s defeat at the end of the Second World War.

Among them will be China’s own Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and, most notably, according to military analyst Michael Clarke, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

“This is a great moment for him in a way, because he’s about to mix with 25 other leaders overnight and tomorrow morning in Beijing,” Clarke tells presenter Jayne Secker.

Clarke adds: “This is the first time that Kim Jong Un, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping have all met together face to face. 

“Putin and XI have met a few times before, and Kim has met Xi five times before. But the fact that all three are together is a great boost for him. 

“He’s far and away the most minor of these three characters, but he’s the one that everyone will be concentrating on because it’s a bit of a novelty. So for him, this is a triumph. 

“I don’t think we’ll hear very much about what he thinks about anything. I think he’ll just bask in the glory of being in with this group of senior leaders.”

Clarke says we’re not likely to see an official communique or statement from the leaders, as tomorrow’s parade is a ceremonial occasion.

If there is one released, Clarke says there’s very little that could be included that we don’t already know, especially about the leaders’ thoughts on the war in Ukraine.

He adds: “I don’t think we’re going to hear any more about new initiatives, but all of this will cement the idea that Xi, Putin and Kim are at one in terms of prevailing in Ukraine, which is bad news for Ukrainians.”