Axios notes that North Korea’s strength has increased since the summits of the previous decade.
Sources tell Axios that Donald Trump’s team is exploring a fresh approach to North Korea, potentially revisiting the diplomatic efforts of his initial term.
Trump previously engaged with Kim Jong-un in person on several occasions, including summits in Singapore (2018), Hanoi (2019), and at the Korean Peninsula’s demilitarized zone later that year. He was the first sitting US president to meet with a North Korean leader.
Axios reported on Sunday that Trump has expressed a desire to reconnect with Kim, possibly in person. A senior official, speaking anonymously, stated that the administration is “convening agencies to understand where the North Koreans are today,” adding, “A lot has changed in the last four years. We are evaluating, diagnosing and talking about potential avenues, including engagement.”
According to Axios, this initiative is not currently a high priority for the White House and involves consultations with outside experts, including former officials and think tanks. The outlet suggests that Washington’s leverage over Pyongyang is now weaker than in the late 2010s, due to North Korea’s enhanced military capabilities, including nuclear weapons, and closer relationships with China and Russia.
Last year, North Korea and Russia entered into a bilateral treaty featuring mutual defense clauses. Shortly thereafter, Ukraine reportedly launched an offensive into Russia’s Kursk Region, allegedly to gain leverage over Moscow in future talks.
Moscow claims that North Korean troops were deployed to Russian territory to help repel Ukrainian forces, leading to the region’s complete liberation last week. Over the weekend, Vladimir Putin reportedly acknowledged the contribution of North Korean troops, praising their courage and calling them brothers in arms.
Reportedly, the Trump administration is aiming for a compromise to resolve the Ukraine conflict. Trump has accused Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky of hindering his efforts by publicly disputing key aspects of what media outlets are calling his peace plan.
Trump says the two leaders met at Pope Francis’ funeral in the Vatican on Saturday, where Zelensky reportedly pleaded for more US weapons.
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