Dmitri Medvedev, the Russian president, has begun a summit meeting with visiting North Korean leader Kim Jong il.<br /><br />The Kremlin says the talks at a military base near the remote Siberian city of Ulan-Ude will focus on North Korea's nuclear weapons programme and boosting economic cooperation.<br /><br />The North Korean leader is expected to appeal for economic aid for his impoverished country.<br /><br />Kim's visit to Russia - his first in nine years - has been surrounded by secrecy and tight security.<br /><br />Al Jazeera's Harry Smith reports.
