Former President Donald Trump, in an interview with Time magazine, described North Korea's reported involvement in Russia's war in Ukraine as a "very complicating factor," while emphasizing his personal relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Trump, recently named the publication's "Person of the Year" for the second time, spoke about the geopolitical implications of Pyongyang's actions and reflected on his unique diplomatic engagement with Kim during his presidency.
"When North Korea gets involved, that's another element that's a very complicating factor," Trump said, addressing claims that Pyongyang has sent thousands of troops and military equipment to assist Russia's war efforts. According to the Pentagon, more than 10,000 North Korean troops are reportedly stationed in Russia's Kursk region, an area where Ukrainian forces launched an offensive earlier this year.
Ukraine and its allies have also accused North Korea of supplying Russia with artillery systems, missiles, and other weapons to replenish Moscow's depleting stockpile. Neither Russia nor North Korea has confirmed these allegations, but both nations have highlighted their strengthening military cooperation. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has publicly pledged to support Russia's war, condemning NATO's expansion as "reckless."
In the interview, Trump avoided directly criticizing Pyongyang's actions, instead steering the conversation toward his relationship with Kim. "I know Kim Jong Un, I get along very well with Kim Jong Un. I'm probably the only one he's ever really dealt with," he said. Trump added that his rapport with the North Korean leader was unparalleled, describing their connection as unique among Western leaders.
This is not the first time Trump has emphasized his relationship with Kim, with whom he held three historic summits in 2018 and 2019 aimed at denuclearization. While those talks ultimately collapsed over disagreements about lifting U.S. sanctions and North Korea's nuclear disarmament measures, Trump has repeatedly described his exchanges with Kim as extraordinary. "He wrote me beautiful letters, and they're great letters," Trump said in 2018, famously declaring, "We fell in love."
Trump's comments come amid heightened tensions surrounding North Korea's deepening ties with Russia. The two nations signed a mutual defense treaty in June, pledging immediate military assistance if either is attacked. Analysts warn that this growing alignment could complicate efforts to address North Korea's nuclear ambitions, as sanctions enforcement weakens and diplomatic avenues narrow.
Experts are skeptical about the prospect of renewed U.S.-North Korea diplomacy under Trump, should he return to the White House. "The weakening sanctions enforcement against Pyongyang would present further challenges in the diplomatic push to resolve the nuclear standoff with Mr. Kim," analysts have noted. Trump himself hinted at a potential return to diplomacy, though its feasibility remains uncertain.
In addition to addressing North Korea's involvement in Ukraine, Trump was asked whether he would abandon U.S. support for Kyiv. "I want to reach an agreement, and the only way you're going to reach an agreement is not to abandon," Trump replied, signaling his intent to pursue a resolution to the conflict while stopping short of outlining specific policies.
North Korea's actions in support of Russia have sparked widespread condemnation, with South Korea, Ukraine, and other nations accusing Pyongyang of exacerbating the crisis. The reports of troop deployments and military aid to Russia represent a significant shift in North Korea's international posture, raising concerns about its broader ambitions.
As speculation mounts over Trump's potential reengagement with Kim, his remarks underscore the challenges of navigating a world where traditional alliances are shifting and adversaries are forging closer ties. Trump's boast of a personal connection with Kim may resonate with supporters, but it also highlights the complexities of a diplomatic landscape reshaped by Pyongyang's growing alignment with Moscow.
