CNN —Thousands of North Koreans chanting “welcome Putin” lined Pyongyang’s wide boulevards waving Russian and North Korean flags and bouquets of flowers Wednesday as Russian President Vladimir Putin kicked off his first visit to North Korea in 24 years. Putin and Kim presented their delegations and stood together as the Russian national anthem played before the two leaders rode standing shoulder to shoulder in an open-top limousine as they smiled and waved to the crowds. The two autocrats are expected to ink a new strategic partnership agreement in a stark signal of their expanding relations. Kim beamed visibly as he greeted Putin at the airport in the early hours, video footage of the Russian leader’s arrival showed. The pair then rode together to the Kumsusan State Guest House where Putin is staying, according to North Korean state-run news agency KCNA.

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