Trump: Military action against North Korea is not America's first option

Donald Trump, the President of the United States, warned on Wednesday, September 6, that the United States will not tolerate North Korea's actions. However, he stated that military action against Pyongyang is not America's 'first option.' According to Reuters, the White House reported that Donald Trump spoke by phone with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the North Korean crisis. Trump told reporters about his conversation with the Chinese President, saying: 'President Xi is interested in doing something about North Korea, but we will see if he is able to take action or not.' According to the Associated Press, discussions between the leaders of the United States and China are very important because China's role in passing stricter resolutions in the Security Council against North Korea and cutting energy exports to that country is decisive. The Chinese President stated in negotiations with Trump that Beijing is committed to keeping the Korean Peninsula non-nuclear. However, he emphasized that the solution to the North Korean crisis must be peaceful and diplomatic. Trump also reiterated his opposition to negotiations with the North Korean regime during phone calls with leaders of Britain and Australia. Meanwhile, it is reported that U.S. security, military, and diplomatic officials are scheduled to report to Congress on the North Korean crisis on Wednesday evening. According to the Associated Press, the White House announced that Trump told British Prime Minister Theresa May in a phone conversation: 'Now is not the time to negotiate with North Korea, and all options are on the table for the defense of the United States and its allies.' Trump also discussed the North Korean crisis with the Australian Prime Minister. Both leaders emphasized joint actions to stop North Korea's nuclear activities. Simultaneously, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, and National Security Advisor Dan Coats are expected to present their latest assessments of this crisis in confidential meetings with White House members and some members of the Senate. The Associated Press reports that as Washington seeks allies to exert more economic and diplomatic pressure on the North Korean regime, Russian President Vladimir Putin is working in the opposite direction. He has warned against further isolating North Korea. It is likely that the Chinese government shares this position as it is deeply concerned about the consequences of the collapse of the North Korean regime in its neighborhood. Putin stated that North Korea's nuclear and missile tests are a 'clear violation' of international law. However, he has called for negotiations with Pyongyang and added that imposing more sanctions will not yield results. On Wednesday, after meeting with the President of South Korea, a key ally of the U.S. in the region, he called for support for the Russian and Chinese proposal, which states that in exchange for reducing U.S. and South Korean military maneuvers in the region, North Korea should also halt its nuclear activities. The Russian President added: 'We should not get emotional and isolate the North Korean regime further. All parties should show more patience than before and avoid actions that would escalate tensions.' However, the South Korean President urged Russia to support stricter sanctions against the North Korean regime, including cutting oil exports to that country. He also requested that the work of North Korean workers in Russia and China, who send foreign currency to Pyongyang, be stopped. However, Putin opposes these measures, stating that they would only harm ordinary North Koreans. The South Korean government, in an action that indicates a hardening of its stance, announced on Wednesday that the U.S. will add more launch pads to the controversial missile defense system stationed in South Korea. Jim Mattis, the U.S. Defense Secretary, also emphasized in separate phone calls with his counterparts in South Korea and Japan that U.S. support for its allies in the region is unwavering. He stated that any threat to the U.S. and its allies would face 'a massive, effective, and comprehensive military response.'