President Trump said Russia’s work with the North Koreans has effectively erased some of the leverage gained by China’s refusal to work with them
“Russia is not helping us at all with North Korea,” Trump told Reuters in an interview on Wednesday. “What China is helping us with, Russia is denting. In other words, Russia is making up for some of what China is doing.”
Trump’s approach to North Korea has focused heavily on persuading China to sever its trade relationships with Pyongyang in an effort to curb North Korea’s nuclear ambitions. But Trump has applied less pressure on Russia, which may continue to conduct business with the North Koreans despite the international community’s condemnation of the Kim Jong Un regime.
Trump said the ice between Washington and Moscow has likely prevented Russian President Vladimir Putin from being more helpful when it comes to isolating North Korea.
“He can do a lot,” Trump said of Putin. “But unfortunately we don’t have much of a relationship with Russia, and in some cases it’s probable that what China takes back, Russia gives. So the net result is not as good as it could be.”
The president declined to reveal the extent to which his administration has considered a military strike against North Korea, which he said has gotten “closer every day” to developing nuclear weapons capable of striking the U.S. Trump has frequently said he prefers to use unpredictability as a tactic in tense international situations, as he has criticized his predecessor for telegraphing his intentions to America’s adversaries.
“We’re playing a very, very hard game of poker, and you don’t want to reveal your hand,” Trump said.
The White House has said Trump welcomes recent talks between North and South Korea ahead of the Winter Olympics in South Korea next month. The talks have aimed at easing tensions on the peninsula before thousands of athletes and spectators descend on the region in early February.
Vice President Mike Pence plans to lead the U.S. delegation to the Olympics and visit leaders in the region.
