Though Korea-watchers’ eyes are set on the upcoming DPRK-U.S. summit, Russia is without a doubt at least in their peripheral vision.

Moscow recently had a chance to play an uncharacteristically important role in the multilateral dynamics of the Korea crisis. From October 7-8, senior North Korean diplomat Choe Son Hui met with both Chinese and Russian officials in Moscow ahead of the upcoming DPRK-U.S. summit. Following the trilateral summit in Moscow, the three parties reiterated a call for loosening sanctions against Pyongyang.

Furthermore, Beijing, Moscow, and Pyongyang continued to call for multilateral talks between the three countries that also include