North Korean leader Kim Jong Il is visiting Russia for the first time in nearly a decade.

Russian officials told media Mr. Kim's armor-covered train crossed the border early Saturday and that he was scheduled to meet with Russian President Dmitry Mevedev in midweek.

The Kremlin later issued a short statement confirming the arrival of the reclusive North Korean leader, calling the meeting between Mr. Kim and Mr. Medvedev “the main event” of the visit. It also said Mr. Kim would tour Russia' Far East and Siberia.

South Korean and Russian media said the two would meet in the city of Ulan-Ude in east Siberia, and that talks would likely focus on securing additional food aid and North Korea's nuclear program.

Mr. Kim's visit comes just one day after Russia announced it would send 50,000 tons of grain to the Stalinist state by the end of September. Officials said the first shipment was sent Friday.

North Korea has been plagued by chronic food shortages, a situation made even worse by recent flooding.

Russia is also part of the stalled six-party talks nuclear disarmament talks with North Korea. There have been some signs in recent weeks that diplomatic efforts to restart the aid-for-disarmament talks may be making some progress.

The last round of those talks was held in China in 2008.

Mr. Kim last visited Russia in 2002 when he met with then President Vladimir Putin in the eastern city of Vladivostok. But he has made several visits to China, including one in May of this year.

Some analysts say Mr. Kim may also be trying to garner support for a succession plan that would eventually transfer power to his son, Kim Jong-Un.