Intense Preparations Underway In Vladivostok Ahead Of Much-Anticipated Putin-Kim Talks

Last-minute preparations are underway in the Russian Far Eastern city of which is expected to host the first summit between Russian President ladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later this wee

VLADIVOSTOK (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd April, 2019) Last-minute preparations are underway in the Russian Far Eastern city of which is expected to host the first summit between Russian President ladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later this week.

The Kremlin said earlier that preparations for the meeting were in their final stages and that the summit would take place before the end of April. The Russian president's administration has not disclosed either the concrete dates or venue for the meeting due to security concerns, but numerous media outlets have reported, citing sources, that the talks will take place in the Russian Far Eastern city as early as this week.

Earlier on Tuesday, two North Korean aircraft landed in Vladivostok airport � only one plane was initially supposed to arrive. South Korean media have reported that the planes are carrying Kim's security team, which has come to prepare for the Kim-Putin meeting.

North Korean officials, including Kim's de facto chief of staff, Kim Chang Son, referred to in the media as the leader's "butler," were also spotted in the city last week inspecting various locations that could be linked to the summit.

A source in Russia's Far Eastern Railway told Sputnik that Kim's armored train would arrive in Vladivostok on Wednesday. There has been, however, no significant increase in security measures or personnel at the city's train station.

"It is just as usual today. We are always armed. Maybe there will be some reinforcement tomorrow, I don't know. Nobody tells us such things in advance. We will see tomorrow, I think," a station guard told Sputnik.

Despite the lack of any official confirmation of the visit by the Kremlin, it seems as if everybody in the city knows about it, from hotel clerks and taxi drivers to old ladies at bus stops. However, most residents of the city, which has been hosting the annual Eastern Economic Forum since 2015, appear indifferent toward the visit of yet another Asian leader. Unlike those in Hanoi, which hosted Kim's summit with US President Donald Trump two months ago, souvenirs shops in Vladivostok are not offering any North Korea-themed goods. Restaurant chains also seem to have opted out of introducing any summit-inspired feature drinks or dishes.

Nevertheless, local authorities have taken efforts to put the city's best foot forward by painting fences and fixing roads.

Employees of the Far Eastern University (FEFU), which many speculate to be the venue for the high-level meeting, also did not make a secret of Kim's visit and handled it as everyday routine, naming it as the reason for the temporary closure of a copy center desk.

Security measures on campus have been ramped up as last-minute preparations commence. A barrier has been set up at the entrance, barring cars other than those of the university's staff and students from entering; lawns have been trimmed; and the North Korean and Russian flags can be seen flying along the campus' embankment and road leading to the university. In addition, maintenance workers and armed guards with dogs have been seen by Sputnik inspecting fenced off areas of one of the university's hotel buildings, where a North Korean delegation later checked in.

Preparations also still seem to be underway at the campus' sports building, believed to be the main venue for the talks. Red carpets were seen rolled out on the floors of the building several days ago, but it is hard to tell what kind of finishing touches were added since entry into the building was prohibited.

A source told Sputnik that a concert stage had been set up at the sports building. Several dozen members of the Russian Guard's music and dance team were gathered next to the building, and one of them told Sputnik that they were headed to rehearse their April 25 performance. The artists were not told in advance who their audience would be.

Another musician noted that their had repertoire had been chosen already, adding that a female soloist of the Bolshoi Theater was expected to perform on Thursday along with them.

Students are particularly happy about their university being chosen as the venue for the talks. Some teachers have even warned their students that classes will be canceled because of the event, but the university's administration has yet to announce this officially.

Locals also spotted a motorcade with two black limousines with tinted windows entering the university's central gate, but it is unclear who was being transported. Media reported that Kim's limousine was transferred to Vladivostok by cargo plane earlier in the day.