North Korean nuclear crisis and Russia's role

North Korean government officially admitted to having at least one nuclear bomb at this year. This dramatic change suggested that North Korean government have changed nuclear policy and strategy. Russia will get more economic benefits with South Korea than with North Korea. Russia will maintain friendly relations with North Korea in the future only up to a level that does not interfere with its relationship with South Korea. Russia also wants to become involved directly in any broader Korean Peninsula settlement. Russia and U.S. currently share (although for different reasons) is their call for eventual multilateral talks to resolve the crisis. Russia believes it deserves a seat at the table, not only because of its role as a border state, but also as a country that has full diplomatic relations with both sides (which the United States, South Korea, and Japan lack) and one that sits on the U.N. Security Council. Russia has proposed its own variant of a settlement, which would involve using Russian natural gas as a carrot for weaning Pyongyang off its dangerous nuclear addiction. Of course, This Russian natural gas program would subsidized by the South Korea. Russia is eager to play a positive role in any future settlement, particularly if it is engaged on the ground floor. A more measured and consultative U.S. policy (even in the presence of bilateral differences) is likely to bring Russia along. In this manner, the United States could use Russia's considerable knowledge of North Korean politics, economics, and security matters to its own benefit, while helping to convince North Korea that it does not have a soft landing waiting for it in the arms of Russia.