Well, different geo-political situations call for different diplomacy. Russia shares a border with N.Korea and if littl Kim there goes nuts and starts a nuke war with America, guess where the trade winds carry all the fall out and the refugees. If a shiny medal and a pair of ponies send the little nut job back to talks, hell, give him double.
Of course, Pootie will learn "useful idiot" Lil Kim how to be a better Christian and turn his regime into Russian-style democracy, right? ;) You know, different geo-political situations require playing differnt geo-parties scenarios. You gotta have dresses and lip service for all of them, that's why. Kiss to old love Schroeder and new love Chirac (to pinch the Americans for their Iraqi mission) and handshake for Iraninas, hug to Chinese (to buy some time before they buy Syberia) and pat on the shoulder for US aka "GWOT ally".
I can't disagree with any of that.