Archive · 28 Aug 2026
IAEA Chief Backs Trump’s Proposed Meeting With Kim Jong Un
Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, supports Donald Trump meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Grossi says leaders need to talk directly, even when they strongly disagree.
He believes diplomacy can begin with a handshake and a respectful conversation.
Some critics think meeting Kim could give him too much status.
Trump has said he plans to meet Kim later this year.
Trump also said North Korea has 57 nuclear weapons.
Grossi has worked on nuclear and international security issues involving Iran, Russia, Ukraine, and other countries.
He is also being considered for the next United Nations secretary-general position.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi endorsed a potential meeting between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un.
Grossi said direct engagement between leaders is important despite Kim’s authoritarian record and human-rights abuses.
Trump said he plans to meet Kim later this year and claimed North Korea has 57 nuclear weapons.
Grossi argued that diplomacy involves speaking and shaking hands with adversaries to pursue agreements.
Grossi is also seeking the next United Nations secretary-general position, though Russia has raised reservations about his campaign.
- Who
- IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi endorsed a potential meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
- What
- Grossi backed Trump’s proposed leader-level dialogue with Kim and defended engagement as a diplomatic tool.
- When
- Trump said last week that he planned to meet Kim later this year; Grossi’s comments were made in an interview with The Washington Post.
- Where
- The proposed meeting would involve Trump and Kim Jong Un; the interview was with The Washington Post.
- Why
- Grossi said direct communication between leaders is important and can help pursue agreements on security issues.
Diplomatic Engagement Supporters
Engagement Critics
Whether Trump should meet Kim
Diplomatic Engagement Supporters
Rafael Grossi says leaders need to see each other and that direct, respectful conversations can help achieve diplomatic results.
Engagement Critics
Critics argue that Kim Jong Un should not be granted the status or privilege of a leader-level meeting.
Engaging an authoritarian leader
Diplomatic Engagement Supporters
Grossi says Kim’s reputation as an autocrat and human-rights abuser should not prevent diplomacy.
Engagement Critics
Opponents emphasize Kim’s authoritarian rule and human-rights record as reasons to oppose or question the meeting.
- IAEA chief
- Rafael Mariano Grossi
- Proposed meeting
- Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un
- Trump’s timing
- Trump said he plans to meet Kim later this year.
- Nuclear weapons claim
- Trump said North Korea has 57 nuclear weapons.
- Grossi’s other campaign
- He is seeking to become the next United Nations secretary-general.
- Current secretary-general’s term
- António Guterres’s second term ends on 31 December 2026.
- UN leadership race
- Eight candidates had been nominated, according to the article.