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Trump-Kim summit ends with 'no agreement reached' as nuclear talks in Hanoi break down
'Sometimes you have to walk', says Donald Trump
28
February, 2019
Hopes
of a swift breakthrough between North Korea and the US on
denuclearisation have been dashed, as talks between Donald Trump and
Kim Jong-un broke up early and the White House said no deal had been
reached.
Just
hours after Mr Kim had smiled for the cameras and instead he “would
not be there” if his county were not prepared to scrap its nuclear
arsenal, word broke that talks were ending hours early. There was
various speculation as to what had caused the discussions, but no
official word from either side.
“The
two leaders discussed various ways to advance denuclearisation and
economic driven concepts,” said White House press secretary Sarah
Huckabee Sanders. “No agreement was reached at this time, but their
respective teams look forward to meeting in the future.”
As
Ms Sanders made her announcement and Mr Trump prepared to hold a
press conference to explain what had happened, the motorcades of the
two leaders sped away from the Hotel Metropole where the two sides
had been meeting
The
news came as a shock, especially given the positive body language
between the two men and the positive statements from the 35-year-old
North Korean leader. Asked if he was ready to denuclearise his
country, he said: “If I'm not willing to do that I won't be here
right now.”
Mr
Kim also said he was keen for the US to open a liaison office in the
North, something Mr Trump also backed.
Earlier,
in what is believed to have been his first response to a question
from a foreign reporter, Mr Kim was asked if he was hopeful of doing
a deal with the US. “It’s too early to say. I would not say I’m
pessimistic,” he said.
For
his part, Mr Trump sought to again temper any expectations of any
substantial or rapid agreement between the two countries.
Kim
Jong Un says 'it's too early to tell' when asked about
denuclearisation deal but 'does have a feeling good results will come
out'
“I’ve
been saying very much from the beginning that speed is not that
important to me.
Speed is not important to me. What is important is that we do the
right deal,” he said.
Ahead
of the meeting, analysts warned not to expect any major breakthrough,
suggesting that persuading North Korea to give up its nuclear arsenal
would likely take years and require a number of commitments and
assurances from from the US and the international. The experience of
Saddam Hussein, who had long given up his nation’s nuclear arsenal
and Muammar Gaddafi, who voluntarily gave up Libya, might suggest
North Korea’s leverage comes by holding onto its weapons.
Trump
reveals low ambitions for North Korea summit but gushes over Kim
Experts
said Mr Kim would want to see an easing of sanctions before he
country went as far as to shut down a reactor or something as
concrete.
For
his part, Mr Trump, desperate for a victory overseas as headlines
back home are dominated by harmful allegations leveled by his former
lawyer Michael Cohen, was oddly temperate.
We’ll
tell you what’s true. You can form your own view.
