Putin exchanges weapons with Kim Jong-un

Russian President Vladimir Putin exchanged weapons as presents with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during their first-ever meeting in Vladivostok today.

The Russian president led his North Korean counterpart through the traditional gift-giving ceremony that accompanies landmark international summits, offering him a set of handmade gilded glasses and a Russian curved saber.

As is customary when gifting blades, to avoid bad luck the Russian president included a coin with the sword, which Kim then 'paid back' to him, RT reported.

The North Korean leader then did the reverse, presenting a traditional straight Korean sword to the Russian president, with a coin of his own.

"It represents strength, it represents the soul - mine and that of our people, who support you," Kim Jong-un said.

Putin and Kim spent twice the allotted time during their face-to-face in Vladivostok, in what was the first ever face-to-face meeting between the two leaders ever.