Russia is committed to denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russia remains committed to denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and calls on involved parties to exercise restraint regarding the issue, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday.
"The Russian position has not changed, we are still supporting the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, the continuation of the political and diplomatic efforts of all parties, as well as calling on all parties to exercise restraint and to avoid provocative steps that could contribute to a further rise of tensions," Peskov said.
The spokesman pointed out that the issue was being discussed during UN Security Council sessions.
"The Korean nuclear and missile issues have been discussed many times and are still discussed as part of the exchange of views during such briefing sessions," Peskov added.
Tensions between Seoul and Pyongyang have risen in the recent years amid North Korea's nuclear tests and launches of ballistic missiles, conducted in violation of the UN Security Council’s resolutions.
On July 4, North Korea announced it had successfully launched its first intercontinental ballistic missile, saying it traveled 580 miles and reached an altitude of 1,740 miles during its 39-minute flight before accurately hitting a targeted area in the Sea of Japan. The test was sharply criticized by the international community.
Last week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russia was categorically against Pyongyang’s tests, calling them provocations.
This story first appeared on Sputnik & is reposted here with permission.