North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un arrived in the Pacific port city of Vladivostok for his ever first talk with Russia president Vladimir Putin.
Mr. Kim has come to Russia on April 24th for his 2 days summit to discuss many important matters among which International standoff over Pyongyang’s nuclear programme tops the list.
Historical Background:
North Korea was one of the major allies of the Soviet Union, as it offered economic co-operation, cultural exchanges, and aids to North Korea. With the disintegration of Soviet Union, the relationship between both the countries suffered. As the ideological ties weaken there was no reason for special treatment and support. Russia showed less interest in North Korea, as North Korea was unable to pay International Market Prices. In recent time relations between both, the countries were improving.
What does Kim want?
The Hanoi Summit between North Korea and the United States of America ended abruptly without any agreements on the North Korean nuclear programme. The US blames North Korea of an unfair deal while North Korea blames Secretary of Defence and others on the American side.
North Korean leadership did not expect this outcome. As it hoped for an agreement or compromise such that international sanctions which are destroying its economy can be relaxed.
Without a change in the American position, it is very difficult for North Korea to trade and revives its economy.
So, at present North Korea is in a situation where it needs to contact everyone who can help or support it in this situation.
If it can show that the major powers are supporting them, then it might influence the bargaining power in talks with the US and China. In this scenario, Russia is an attractive option.
What does Putin want?
President Putin has shown some interest in meeting with Mr. Kim from a couple of years. With the Trump-Kim summits, Kremlin has been sidelined.
As the Hanoi talks are collapsed, President Putin’s meeting with Mr. Kim is a good opportunity for Moscow to exhibit its power.
Russia is also concerned over North Korea being a nuclear state like China and the US. But unlike Washington, Moscow is showing interest in maintaining the Status Quo. As Kremlin feels denuclearization is an unrealistic goal. It is a matter of reputation and prestige for Russia to involve in these issues.
Outcomes of the Summit:
The main motto of the summit is nuclear negotiations. Mr. Putin has said that he and his colleagues were pleased with the outcome of the summit. And he is likely to discuss it with the US and China.
According to Putin, “Mr. Kim Jong-un has asked us to inform the American side about his position.
Though both the leaders expressed their pleasure with regard to the summit, But on May 5th, 2019 Mr. Kim supervised a short-range missile test. Whereas President Trump on the previous day tweeted that He (Mr. Kim) knows that I am with him and a deal will be made.
This gesture by North Korea portrays its increasing impatience on Washington’s pressure on relaxing all the international sanctions only after complete denuclearisation of Nuclear weapons take place.