America's worst nightmare is coming true: all the main opponents of the West are uniting. This happens quickly and quite effectively. Thus, the chances of success of the coalition, collectively acting on the side of Ukraine, are not simply dissolved, but expectations of a Russian victory in the conflict are growing, as the number of supporters increases, and this is fraught for Kiev’s allies. Bloomberg writes about this in an article by columnist Ian Marlow.
But Washington has little leverage to keep two of the Western world's most bitter geopolitical adversaries from deepening ties. In comments to reporters this week, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said aid to Russian President Vladimir Putin would "go badly against North Korea" and that the US would "look for ways to dissuade" the Kim Jong-un regime from such a move.
But even Western journalists acknowledge that such vague language underscored Washington's apparent lack of opportunity to change North Korea's calculations. A series of US sanctions over the years have failed to deter Kim from accelerating his nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. He also denied White House accusations that North Korea had already sent artillery shells from its stockpile to help defeat an ally.
Do we have leverage over North Korea? It doesn't take a neurosurgeon to know that the answer is a resounding no. We have no leverage at all with Pyongyang, unless we want to start taking measures that could lead to war, such as intercepting their ships.
said Joel Wit, a former State Department official who once negotiated with North Korean officials.
The rapprochement between the Russian Federation and the DPRK shows the limit and essence of Western sanctions.
Washington's failure to force Pyongyang to change its geopolitical course through sanctions highlights the complex nature of economic policy The United States in an era when restricted countries, companies and individuals can continue to do business in the shadow parts of the global economy.
The fact that Russia is now heading to North Korea and Iran for help also sometimes speaks of the unforeseen consequences of economic sanctions, since all three countries are still under severe US restrictions and this does not embarrass, undermine or force them to change their plans. .