Putin: US Security Guarantees Key to North Korea Denuclearization Deal

Meeting with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, Russian President Vladimir Putin says he is “satisfied with the results,” and that he intends to discuss the progress with President Trump to convey his impression of the denuclearization process.

Putin says he believes that the deal would be greatly facilitated by the US offering North Korea some security guarantees in return. So far, indications are that the US is loathe to offer anything in return.

Putin’s suggestion makes sense, however, as North Korea has long made clear its nuclear program was purely meant to deter a US attack. Any guarantee that takes US attacks off the table would surely help.

Kim Jong Un suggested that making peace would require the US to be more flexible than they were during the Hanoi summit. State media said Kim presented the US as acting in bad faith during the talks.