Naturally, number 1 geopolitical enemy of the US and its coalition Russia is stepping in on the North Korea issue, with Vladimir Putin playing the usual role trying to de-escalate tension between the US and North Korean governments.

Putin warned Trump and his administration that the tension was dangerously close to erupting into a “large-scale conflict.” He essentially said only talking things out would de-escalate the tension and keep large-scale conflict from erupting.

Russia of course shares a northern border with North Korea. Putin stressed that it would be pointless and dangerous to try and use force against Pyongyang to stop its nuclear missile program.

On the Kremlin’s official website, Putin wrote:

It is essential to resolve the region’s problems through direct dialogue involving all sides without advancing any preconditions (for such talks). Provocations, pressure, and bellicose and offensive rhetoric is the road to nowhere.

Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister reinforced the narrative, predictably adding that the US government should take the first step and start the dialogue.

Putin continued:

In Russia’s opinion the calculation that it is possible to halt North Korea’s nuclear missile programs exclusively by putting pressure on Pyongyang is erroneous and futile.

This of course comes after North Korea fired a ballistic missile, which flew right over Japan before landing in the Pacific Ocean.

As the missile flew, the US and South Korea were “conducting joint military exercises,” with North Korea routinely calls an act of aggression.

Further, North Korea has threatened to surround the US territory of Guam with a “ring of fire.” They allegedly said they would launch 3 missiles aimed at hitting the sea around Guam. Kim Jong-un called the recent missile test “a meaningful prelude to containing Guam.”

Firing missiles all around a country is particularly threatening, for the simple fact that they could easily miss and strike the country.

It’s not unusual to see Putin taking the role of mediator: but how much of this conflict is real? What if every country involved were only trying to enrich themselves with fear and the threat of a conflict to increase their military budgets? That is a far out theory and it might not be true, but it’s worth looking at.