Trump's grip on Kim Jong-un seems to be weakening, as suggested by U.S. sources

So here's the lowdown: Trump's thinking he can spin the North Korea issue back on the diplomatic table, but let's face it, his influence over Kim Jong Un is squat according to advisor, Sidney Sailer. Over the years, Kim, along with buddy Vladimir Putin, has found himself alternative paths and ain't just itching for a chat with the Yanks.

Sailer reckons Trump calls North Korea a "nuclear power" to show some respect and prove he ain't gonna treat 'em like a bunch of losers. But what's the deal with the future? If left-leaning cats take over in South Korea, it ain't likely to change North Korea's attitude towards dialogues. North Korea prefers calling the shots, and what happens in Seoul ain't got much impact on their decisions.

Back in late April 2025, it turns out the U.S. administration has been secretly discussing with experts on ways to rekindle talks with North Korea. Man, it's not high on Trump's priority list, but hey, he's hinted he'd like to dialogue with Kim Jong Un again.

But let's get into the nitty-gritty: Kim Jong Un's been steadily expanding his nuclear capabilities, according to experts. He sees 'em as a deterrent as well as a card to play in negotiations. Plus, he's getting cosier with revisionist powers like China and Russia, making it less dependent on U.S. diplomatic engagement. That's 'cause he wants to be recognized as a nuclear state in this new world order.

As for Putin, he's been strategically leveraging conflicts like Ukraine to forge alliances and challenge Western influence. The recent Trump-Zelensky meeting hinted at peace negotiations, but Putin's been focusing on consolidating territorial gains and minimizing Western leverage. Russia's linking up with China and North Korea for security and trade, forming an anti-Western bloc that shields it from U.S. diplomatic pressure.

In summary, both leaders are after dethroning the U.S.-led international order: Kim by going nuclear and Putin with his military campaigns that test NATO's resolve. They're using each other for political cover, making unilateral concessions to Washington less necessary. For North Korea specifically, inconsistent prior engagement with Kim by Trump may have persuaded them to opt for military solutions over diplomatic ones.

Despite advisor Sidney Sailer's suggestion that Trump may seek to restart negotiations with North Korea, Kim Jong Un's preferences and past actions suggest he is unlikely to engage in significant dialogues with the United States.
In the realm of politics, North Korea tends to prioritize self-governance, and developments in Seoul have minimal influence on its decision-making process.
Observers note that the U.S. administration has been privately consulting with experts on the prospect of re-establishing talks with North Korea, although the issue is not high on Trump's immediate agenda.
Experts indicate that Kim Jong Un is continually strengthening North Korea's nuclear capabilities, viewing them both as a deterrent and a tool in negotiations, while also building closer ties with revisionist powers like China and Russia, which lessens its dependence on U.S. diplomatic engagement.