Kim Strengthens Russia-China Ties, Demands US Drop Denuclearization
Kim is actively enhancing cooperation with Russia and China to increase his diplomatic leverage, while simultaneously pressuring the United States to abandon its demands for denuclearization.
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Overview
- Kim is actively strengthening cooperative relationships with Russia and China, a strategic move designed to significantly bolster his international leverage.
- This increased cooperation aims to enhance his bargaining position, particularly in the context of ongoing diplomatic engagements and future negotiations.
- Concurrently, Kim is explicitly urging the United States to abandon its long-standing demands for denuclearization, signaling a firm stance.
- The alignment with Russia and China suggests a concerted effort by Kim to create a stronger united front against perceived external pressures.
- This diplomatic strategy underscores Kim's intent to reshape the geopolitical landscape and achieve his objectives without conceding on key issues.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by highlighting Kim Jong Un's strengthened negotiating position and his explicit rejection of denuclearization as a precondition for talks. They emphasize the growing chasm between North Korea's 'irreversible nuclear status' and the US/South Korean goal of denuclearization, portraying a challenging diplomatic landscape. The narrative underscores the increased difficulty for future negotiations.
"Kim illustrated this point at a military parade in Beijing this month, where he together for the first time with Russian President Vladimir Putin and China's leader Xi Jinping."
NPR"Kim has stepped up testing activities in recent years, demonstrating weapons of various ranges designed to strike U.S. allies in Asia and the U.S. mainland."
ABC NewsArticles (3)
FAQ
Kim Jong Un is enhancing cooperation with Russia and China to increase his diplomatic leverage internationally and to bolster his bargaining position in diplomatic negotiations, especially to counter US demands for denuclearization.
China and Russia have become key allies to North Korea, with China providing economic lifelines despite sanctions and Russia receiving military assets from North Korea. This alliance enables Kim's nuclear arsenal to be considered non-negotiable and reflects a strategic shift in China’s posture away from reconciliation with the West.
North Korea has supplied Russia with over 12 million rounds of artillery, rocket launchers, self-propelled guns, ballistic missiles, vehicles, and also deployed around 15,000 soldiers to assist in the conflict in Ukraine, providing up to 40% of the ammunition used by Russia by summer 2025.
By aligning with Russia and China, Kim is creating a united front that rejects long-standing US demands for denuclearization, effectively rendering such demands obsolete due to the increased diplomatic and military backing from these powers.
The alliance signals a shift towards a new world order led by China, Russia, and North Korea forming a hard-power core to expand influence and challenge US and Western dominance, complicating diplomatic efforts and perpetuating security dilemmas for US allies in Asia.
History
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