The mere fact that Russia is trying to get involved indicates to me that the Russians are worried the talks will work, depriving Russia of a convenient nuclear-armed loose cannon aimed at America, Japan, and South Korea:
Russian officials have invited North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to visit Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday[.]
I only ask because the Russians aren't about to help us out, so Russian offers to talk can only be to pull North Korea away from any progress.
And there was a bit of apparent progress:
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was ready to allow international inspectors into the North's nuclear and missile testing sites, one of the main sticking points over an earlier denuclearization pledge.
Details have to be worked out. And even this can only be a means to denuclearization rather than an end itself.
But Pompeo says that there has been "significant progress."
Do we stay focused on the denuclearization or get distracted by the glorious optics of a signing ceremony if the bad results aren't apparent until years later when blame can be avoided and nobody can take back the Nobel Peace Prize?
I remain highly skeptical but marginally hopeful about the whole thing. North Korea has bought time to get as far as they have toward a nuclear arsenal, and they may not need to buy much more to make a military solution by American-led forces too risky to contemplate.
Let's hope talks have halted the sprint so talks can achieve a significant objective--from our point of view.
