U.S. President Donald Trump’s direct engagement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine is poised to have far-reaching implications for the Korean Peninsula, with any deal favorable to Moscow likely to disrupt the nature of North Korea’s burgeoning partnership with Russia in a major way. 

However, such an outcome would also likely compel Kim Jong Un to consider pivoting toward diplomacy with Washington, sensing an opportunity to extract concessions on recognition of North Korea’s nuclear status and subsequent sanctions relief. Furthermore, Russia might play an active role in supporting