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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Moscow was ready to assist North Korea in opening a dialogue with the United States.
THE DETAILS
“We are confident that it the vicious spiral of confrontation and provocations must be stopped.”
“We spoke about the situation on the Korean Peninsula,” Lavrov said, as reported by the TASS News Agency. “Our position on this matter is unchanged. We are confident that it the vicious spiral of confrontation and provocations must be stopped.”
“We know that North Korea wants first of all to speak with the United States about its security guarantees. We are ready to support it. We are ready to help promote such talks,” he added.
Lavrov’s remarks were made shortly after a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson
On Thursday.
BEYOND THE HEADLINE
Russia has always positioned itself as a mediator in the Korean Peninsula, urging Washington and Pyongyang to avoid military provocation and pursue a diplomatic solution to the standoff.
Despite Russia’s neutral rhetoric, however, Russian president Vladimir Putin has supported the North Korean regime by offering increased economic assistance in response to the crippling U.S. sanctions.
Russia is also seeking to improve its energy trade in Asia, including a plan to construct a natural gas pipeline that could run through North Korea.
