Mr. Putin and Mr. Kim's face-to-face meeting raises questions about their intentions. While they could have concluded a deal remotely, their decision to meet suggests a broader message. It signals to South Korea not to comply with NATO and U.S. requests for aid to Ukraine, as Russia can support North Korea instead. Additionally, it reminds the Americans of Russia's ability to create havoc in East Asia. The international impact and reactions from the U.S. and South Korea remain uncertain.