North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will visit Russia in May, in what could be his first foreign visit since taking power in 2011.

On May 9th, Russia will mark the 60th anniversary of its victory over Germany in World War II. About 20 leaders from around the world have confirmed their attendance, South Korea's Yonhap news agency said, quoting a Kremlin spokesman.

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If the trip pushes through,it may come before Kim's planned visit to China, North Korea's main ally. The North and Russia have been in talks to boost ties, while relations between the North and its neighbor China have cooled since Kim defied U.N. sanctions to conduct nuclear tests. 

"There is no rule that says Kim Jong Un has to go to China first," said Cheong Seong-chang of South Korea's Sejong Institute. 

China had been seeking North Korea's denuclearization before a summit could take place, but the Nokor leader is unlikely to bow to the pressure.

While both China and Russia have voted for sanctions on the North for its nuclear and missile tests, China has taken a tougher stance.

China and South Korea have worked to boost their strategic and cooperative partnership in recent years. President Xi Jinping has met South Korea's President Park Geun-hye six times since both of them took office in 2012, while Xi has not met the North's Kim.

China, however, has tried to mediate between the two Koreas.

Russia and North Korea had agreed on plans to build a natural gas pipeline from Russia to South Korea, via the North. This project is also expected to boost gas exports to Asia.

Kim's father, Kim Jong II, who died in December 2011, had earlier agreed to the gas pipeline project. The late North Korean leader had been invited to the Russian victory celebrations in 2005 but he did not attend.

TagsNorth Korea, Russia, State Visit