The historic meeting between Vladimir Putin and North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un was more than symbolic. The summit is the beginning of a plan between both nations to balance the power out of the West and increase the strength of the East. Who is the winner here? Probably Kim and China. Why?
1 – During the talks and according to sources in Russia, the North Korean leader proposed that Putin will endorse a treaty that will “entitle” him to develop certain nuclear capabilities. Which ones? That has not been informed but most of the rumours focus on devices for energy more than … the famous missiles. This will increase the possibilities of North Korea to become a stronger player in this market.
2 – China might be also winning in this agreement. Lets understand each case separately. Russia: Putin only wants to feel more powerful even though he cannot compete with Europe alone, UK or the US. The goal of Russia is to take advantage of this “weak situation of Europe” but in the long term … this will be meaningless.
3 – Of course, with the Brexit on hold more and more Eastern European nations are thinking about joining a EU in need. This will create a perfect combination of financial power that along with the new rules implemented by the UK will damage Russian interests. The goal of Putin is to aim East.
4 – Trump and Kim seem not to get along anymore (at least for now) and the key of this situation was about the sanctions. The North Korean leader wanted Trump to express that “sanctions were not going to be a choice anymore” but the north American President did not like this idea.
5 – China will be a big winner here: North Korea will become a “small nuclear” nation and with a big back up from Putin … the balance of power might hurt US interests, especially regarding “democracy”. This might open the door for China to get stronger in the Middle East and certain regions of Asia where the US is still stronger.
6 – North Korea might be able to get a huge gain from a treaty with Russia and China: Becoming a “small developing nuclear nation” (of course not recognised by the UNO) will give Kim Jong-Un a position of power and negotiation with every single Western Democracy in the world. Is this what Kim is looking for?
