Trump cites nuclear arsenals in stressing ties with Kim Jong Un and Xi
Version 2: A second outlet now reports that Trump stressed the importance of good relations with Xi Jinping, a point previously carried only by the state news agency.
In short
US President Donald Trump said he gets along with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un because of Pyongyang's nuclear arsenal, saying in the state of Ohio that “when a person has 112 nuclear rockets, it is important to get along with him.” He also repeated a promise that “Iran will never have nuclear weapons.” TASS reported that Trump stressed the importance of good relations with the leaders of nuclear powers when asked about his “courtesy” toward Chinese President Xi Jinping, and RBC also said he noted the importance of good relations with Xi.
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US President Donald Trump said he gets along with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, citing Pyongyang's nuclear arsenal, in remarks delivered in the state of Ohio. “I get along with Kim Jong Un. When a person has 112 nuclear rockets, it is important to get along with him,” Interfax quoted him as saying. RBC reported that Trump said he “gets along great” with Kim Jong Un and likewise mentioned his “112 nuclear rockets.” Interfax described the same remark as referring to more than 100 missiles with nuclear warheads. [ 2 , 3 ]
According to Interfax, Trump also repeated a promise that “Iran will never have nuclear weapons.” The agency placed the remark alongside his comments on North Korea without elaborating on what it referred to. [ 2 ]
TASS, the state news agency, reported that Trump noted the importance of maintaining good relations with the leaders of nuclear powers. Its feed item said this was his answer to a question about the reasons for his “courtesy” toward Chinese President Xi Jinping, and provided no further detail or direct quotation of that answer. RBC also reported that Trump noted the importance of good relations with Xi Jinping. [ 1 , 3 ]
Interfax noted that Trump has given differing assessments of North Korea's nuclear arsenal over time, saying during the summer of this year that the country had 57 nuclear warheads. In August 2026, media reported that South Korean intelligence estimated the arsenal at between 80 and 120 nuclear warheads, the agency said. The documents give no confirmed figure for the arsenal. [ 2 ]
The three outlets reported on different parts of Trump's comments on nuclear-armed leaders, published within hours of each other on the same day. Interfax says only that he spoke in Ohio, naming no city or venue, and the documents do not state whether the remarks covered by TASS, Interfax and RBC were made at the same appearance. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The remarks set out how the US president publicly frames ties with nuclear-armed states, including North Korea, China and Iran, and repeat a long-standing US pledge on Iran's nuclear programme. Interfax's note that Trump has given differing figures for North Korea's arsenal leaves its size a live question in the coverage. The documents describe no policy decision or agreement behind the comments.
Key facts
- Speaking in the state of Ohio, Trump said he gets along with Kim Jong Un because the North Korean leader has “112 nuclear rockets,” according to Interfax. [ 2 ]
- RBC reported that Trump said he “gets along great” with Kim Jong Un and mentioned his “112 nuclear rockets.” [ 3 ]
- Interfax described the same remark as referring to more than 100 missiles with nuclear warheads. [ 2 ]
- Trump again promised that “Iran will never have nuclear weapons.” [ 2 ]
- Interfax said Trump has given differing assessments of North Korea's arsenal, citing 57 nuclear warheads in the summer of this year. [ 2 ]
- In August 2026, media reported that South Korean intelligence estimated the North Korean arsenal at 80 to 120 nuclear warheads. [ 2 ]
- TASS reported, and RBC also said, that Trump noted the importance of good relations with Chinese President Xi Jinping; TASS said this was his answer to a question about the reasons for his “courtesy” toward Xi. [ 1 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Donald Trump noted the importance of good relations with Chinese President Xi Jinping, and with the leaders of nuclear powers, when asked about his “courtesy” toward Xi. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Donald Trump said he gets along with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and cited an arsenal of 112 nuclear rockets. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- The actual size of North Korea's nuclear arsenal. Trump cited 112 missiles in this remark and 57 warheads earlier in the summer, while media reported a South Korean intelligence estimate of 80 to 120 warheads; the documents give no confirmed count.
- What Trump said about Xi Jinping beyond stressing good relations. TASS's feed summary refers to an answer about his “courtesy” toward Xi but carries no article text, and RBC's summary repeats the point without further detail.
- Where in Ohio Trump spoke and to whom. Interfax says only that he spoke in the state of Ohio; no city, venue or audience is named.
- Whether the comments reported by TASS, Interfax and RBC came from the same appearance. The reports cover Trump's remarks on relations with nuclear-armed leaders on the same day, but the documents do not state that they came from one event.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS reports that Trump noted the importance of maintaining good relations with the leaders of nuclear powers. [ 1 ]
- Interfax reports Trump's remarks in Ohio, including the “112 nuclear rockets” quote on Kim Jong Un and his promise on Iran. [ 2 ]
- RBC reports that Trump said he “gets along great” with Kim Jong Un and also noted the importance of good relations with Xi Jinping. [ 3 ]