Putin unveils major border plans with China and North Korea setting February 1 deadline

 Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered for plans for major border upgrades to be made with China and North Korea as he sets a deadline for early 2026.

The news comes as China and North Korea's relations with Russia continue to grow with Putin making visits to both countries and invited them to Moscow.

The plans will see the development of transport and logistics centers along the border with China and North Korea by February 1 next year.

Putin also instructed his Cabinet of approving a separate plan for the long-term development of rare earth metal mining and production by December 3.

The news comes as Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in Beijing today (November 4).

According to broadcaster CCTV, Xi told the Russian PM: "China-Russia relations have stayed the course toward higher-level and higher-quality development, advancing steadily despite a turbulent external environment.

"Safeguarding, consolidating and developing China-Russia relations is a strategic choice for both sides."

Putin's plans for China and North Korea come as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues.

Ukraine has now received more U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems to help it counter Russia's daily barrages, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

Russian drones killed a man and injured five of his family members, including two children, in the latest attack last night (November 3).

The sophisticated Patriot systems are the most effective weapon against Russian missiles. Zelenskyy has pleaded with Western partners to provide more of them, but production limitations and the need to maintain stockpiles have slowed their delivery.

"More Patriots are now in Ukraine and being put into operation," Zelenskyy said on social media late Sunday. "Of course, more systems are needed to protect key infrastructure sites and our cities across the entire territory of our state."

He thanked Germany and its Chancellor Friedrich Merz for the Patriots. Germany said three months ago it would deliver two more U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine.