DIDN’T SEE THAT COMING: President Trump has agreed to do what no other American president has ever done: Meet with a sitting leader of North Korea. While skepticism runs high about the ultimate outcome of what will likely be protracted negotiations, the unexpectedly conciliatory tone of the invitation holds the tantalizing prospect of a peaceful resolution of the long-simmering crisis, with the removal of nuclear weapons from the Korean Peninsula, the reintegration of North Korea into the international community, and even the end of the state of war between the two Koreas after 64 years.

Chung Eui-Yong, South Korea’s national security adviser, made the dramatic announcement just after 7 last night in the White House West Wing driveway. It met all the conditions the U.S. wanted for direct talks. “North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said he is committed to denuclearization. Kim pledged that North Korea will refrain from any further nuclear or missile tests. He understands that the routine joint military exercises between the Republic of Korea and the United States must continue. And he expressed his eagerness to meet President Trump as soon as possible.”

Trump accepted on the spot. Chung said the meeting would take place “by May,” but later the White House said it would happen “at a place and time to be determined.” In a tweet shortly after the announcement, the president trumpeted the fact that the offer included a pledge to de-nuke, and required no concessions from the U.S. “Kim Jong Un talked about denuclearization with the South Korean Representatives, not just a freeze. Also, no missile testing by North Korea during this period of time. Great progress being made but sanctions will remain until an agreement is reached. Meeting being planned!”

Sarah Sanders, White House press secretary, said in a statement last night, "We look forward to the denuclearization of North Korea. In the meantime, all sanctions and maximum pressure must remain."

Moon Jae-in, South Korea’s liberal president who brokered the meeting with his “Peace Olympics” and the dispatch of a high-level delegation to Pyongyang, said today that it will be a “historical milestone” that will put the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula “really on track.” Moon made sure to credit Trump’s leadership, saying it will be praised "not only by the residents of South and North Korea but every peace-loving person around the world.”

Shinzo Abe, the Japanese prime minister, who some experts think might be feeling a little sidelined by the fast-moving process, told reporters after a phone call with Trump that Japan and the United States would continue to be “together 100 percent” and that he’d meet Trump in Washington in April, according to the AP.

Geng Shuang said China welcomes the meeting, calling it a "positive" message and a step in the right direction. The Foreign Ministry spokesman said, "We welcome the positive message that North Korea and the U.S. sent out on their direct dialogue," according to the Yonhap News Agency.

Rex Tillerson was out of the country and apparently out of the loop as the diplomatic machinations accelerated. The secretary of state was in Ethiopia, and said “we’re a long ways from negotiations,” at a press conference hours before the announcement. Tillerson was downplaying the breakthrough insisting the next step would be to “have some kind of talks about talks,” adding he wasn’t sure “conditions are right to even begin thinking about negotiations.”

After the announcement Tillerson, still traveling in Africa, said the U.S. was taken by surprise at how "forward-leaning" Kim was being, and said it indicated "not just willingness but really his desire for talks.” He said it was Trump’s call to accept, and that it would take "some weeks" to work out the details.

Speaking to reporters in Djibouti, Tillerson drew a distinction between “talks” with North Korea and “negotiations,” and said Trump has been open talks and a meeting with Kim for some time. “In the president’s judgment, that time has arrived now,” Tillerson said.

Christopher Hill, the last American to negotiate with the North, said, “This is huge.” The former U.S. ambassador to Seoul told Britain's Sky News, "I spent four years negotiating with the North Koreans as part of the six-party talks and I can tell you we never had a moment anything close to this.” Hill said it would be even more shocking if the breakthrough resulted in North Korea giving up its nukes. “This is something no one has succeeded in doing," Hill said. “Certainly, the North Koreans have invited American heads of state before but this is the first time an American head of state has said 'sure I'll go' — so this is really quite extraordinary."

Sen. Lindsey Graham voiced the fears of those with long memories who think Trump may be walking into a trap. “I am not naive. I understand that if the past is an indication of the future, North Korea will be all talk and no action,” Graham tweeted last night, adding a friendly “word of warning” to Kim. "The worst possible thing you can do is meet with President Trump in person and try to play him. If you do that, it will be the end of you — and your regime.”

Dennis Rodman, the former basketball star who is one of a handful of Americans to have actually met Kim, congratulated Trump for making history. "Well done, President Trump. You're on the way to a historical meeting no U.S. president has ever done,” Rodman said. "Please send my regards to Marshal Kim Jong Un and his family." Rodman visited North Korea in 2013 and 2014.

Good Friday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre’s Daily on Defense, compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre), National Security Writer Travis J. Tritten (@travis_tritten) and Senior Editor David Brown (@dave_brown24). Email us here for tips, suggestions, calendar items and anything else. If a friend sent this to you and you’d like to sign up, click here. If signing up doesn’t work, shoot us an email and we’ll add you to our list. And be sure to follow us on Twitter @dailyondefense.