Russia and China tell N. Korea, U.S. and S. Korea to embrace de-escalation plan

[TomCADem]

Source: MSN/Reuters

Russia and China joined diplomatic forces on Tuesday and called on North Korea, South Korea and the United States to sign up to a Chinese de-escalation plan designed to defuse tensions around Pyongyang's missile program.

The plan would see North Korea suspend its ballistic missile program and the United States and South Korea simultaneously call a moratorium on large-scale missile exercises, both moves aimed at paving the way for multilateral talks.

The initiative was set out in a joint statement from the Russian and Chinese foreign ministries issued shortly after President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping held wide-ranging talks in the Kremlin.

"The situation in the region affects the national interests of both countries," the joint statement said.  "Russia and China will work in close coordination to advance a solution to the complex problem of the Korean Peninsula in every possible way." 

Read more: http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/russia-and-china-tell-n-korea-us-and-s-korea-to-embrace-de-escalation-plan/ar-BBDKV51?ocid=spartanntp

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When the world begins to look to Russia and China for leadership in diplomacy because our current leader is unstable...

[Iliyah]

1. Little trust in Russia nor China. There is a motive and it's not in the best

interest of South Korea nor the USA. Effed up t-rump, the present administration and the GOPs has effed up "leader of the free world" status.

[Kittycow]

2. I look to Merkel, Macron, and Trudeau for leadership.

But I just took a week off politics for my mental health, so I have to catch up. I agree with you about Russia and China having suspect motives.

[Igel]

3. It does two things.

First, it moves the 50 yard line towards N. Korea.

There were such exercises held by S Korea and the US. Then N Korea does something annoying. In exchange for not doing something bad it gets a reward. (Take away: Start doing something bad, get something from your wish list to make you stop.)

Second, it gets something China and Russia want. A reduction in US activity in what is likely to be their sphere of influence. Whose, exactly? For now, it's more important to get the US out than to deal with who'll be the boss of the countries and people in the area. (Yeah, I know, not everybody likes what amounts to a Monroe Doctrine imposed by Russia or China, but a lot more supported it in eastern Europe that would ever support it in the Caribbean, just as a lot more understand anti-American resentment given some events in the 19th and 20th century in Central & South America, but seem at a loss to understand resentment built up over centuries of imperialism, occupation, and annexation in eastern Europe.)

China and Russia are pursuing their self-interest. That's not leadership, unless we want to follow their leadership into larger Russian and Chinese spheres of influence, and any confrontation that may happen as a result of unresolved differences over who should rule where. China and India are back to expressing disagreement over basic facts resulting from unresolved differences up in the Himalayas; it's even hard to reconcile the two stories without accusing one (or both) of being intentionally misleading.

[TomCADem]

5. Trump's Actions In Syria/Iran/Etc. Will Justify Third World Efforts to Move Toward Nukes

Being the bully he is, Trump has shown little restraint in dramatically escalating conflicts without any concern for civilian casualties. He has also proposed huge budget cuts to the State Department, which shows his lack of interest in diplomacy. Therefore, the only language Trump understands is force. Other countries will believe the only way to cause any pause in Trump's erratic actions is to accelerate their nuclear efforts. The U.S. reached a deal with Iran, but Trump has threatened to walk away from it. The rationale course for a nation that is hostile to the U.S. is to build a nuclear deterrent, since Trump has shown that he will order bombing missions on a whim.

[dembotoz]

4. Should be remembered this is China's neighbor

I am sure China would not want a hot situation so close to their border. If Russia stated bombing let say even Cuba, how far could it go before we got drawn it

[JustAnotherGen]

6. Putin is getting his way

I'm between a rock and a hard place here.

I hate Putin - think that things is a big old maggot.

But we need to de-escalate.

But - but - but - I'd feel better about the statement if it was Merkel.

Russia and China should have run this 'request' by her first. I have a feeling they didn't check with her, when they should have.