Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un held a summit on an island near the eastern Russian city Vladivostok Thurs
Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un held a summit on an island near the eastern Russian city Vladivostok Thursday, marking the first time the two leaders have met face to face, with Putin issuing a call for security guarantees to induce Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear weapons program.
During the meeting the two leaders are believed to have discussed the terms North Korea would need in order to agree to give up its nuclear program. Reuters and other outlets reported, however, that there was no major breakthough at the summit.
Following the meeting Putin signaled a desire to return to long defunct six-party talks to resolve the nuclear issue.
Starting in 2003, Japan, the United States, South Korea, Russia and China were unable to persuade North Korea to give up nuclear ambitions, and Pyongyang pulled out of the talks in 2009.
[The North Koreans] only need guarantees about their security. Thats it. All of us together need to think about this, said Putin in a press conference following the summit.
He added that a multilateral agreement would be the most effective way to achieve denuclearization.
Its unlikely that any agreements between two countries will be enough, said Putin, adding that a multilateral, legally binding agreement that also respects North Koreas sovereignty would be needed.
Reuters reported that Kim said the meeting was candid and meaningful.
Despite the lack of any meaningful resolution, the meeting was seen by outside observers as successful political posturing for Kim, who has already held talks with the leaders of South Korea, China and the United States.
