…As Rouhani and Putin discuss US exit from nuclear deal***

North Korea’s East Asian neighbors have a shared goal of denuclearizing the peninsula, but what may come out of Tuesday’s summit between President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un has different and possibly conflicting implications for each.

Japan, unable to meet Kim directly, is relying on Trump for almost everything from its security to an accounting of its citizens who were abducted decades ago by the North.

South Koreans remain skeptical but also embrace hope that a positive outcome of the talks could push forward a Korean War peace treaty and further cooperation.

China, a U.S. rival that is increasing its regional presence, is seeking to continue exerting its influence on North Korea.

In the meantime, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says he would like to discuss the situation following the U.S. withdrawal from the Iranian deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Speaking at the start of his Saturday’s meeting with Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Qingdao, China, Rouhani hailed close ties between Russia and Iran. Iran has an observer status in the SCO, and Putin said that Moscow would support the full-fledged Iranian membership.

Rouhani said that the U.S. exit from the nuclear agreement with Iran warrants an “important and serious discussion between our two countries.”

Rouhani also hailed Russia-Iran cooperation in Syria, saying “our role in the region is quite significant.” Russia and Iran have staunchly backed Syrian President Bashar Assad, helping turn the tide of war in his favor.

Fox