Russian president Vladmir Putin has called for stronger ties with North Korea, after meeting with a special envoy of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un.
Speaking during a televised ceremony where Putin received the new North Korean ambassador's credentials, the Russian President said,
Russia is currently one of five countries, including South Korea, China, the United States and Japan, involved in talks with North Korea over its nuclear program.
A Russian Foreign Ministry source told Interfax that though the resolution was not discussed, "the subject of the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula is constantly present on the agenda of our dialogue with North Korea."
"Moreover, progress in this field is a mandatory condition of lifting the sanctions against the country which naturally impose big limits on our bilateral relations,” the source continued.
Speaking during a televised ceremony where Putin received the new North Korean ambassador's credentials, the Russian President said,
"We maintain friendly relations with one of our neighbours, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.”The meeting between the two countries comes as the United Nations passed a resolution on Tuesday calling for North Korea to be referred to the International Criminal Court. North Korea responded angrily to the vote, warning that more nuclear tests may be carried out in response.
"A further deepening of political ties and trade and economic cooperation is definitely in the interests of the peoples of both countries and ensuring regional stability and security."
Russia is currently one of five countries, including South Korea, China, the United States and Japan, involved in talks with North Korea over its nuclear program.
A Russian Foreign Ministry source told Interfax that though the resolution was not discussed, "the subject of the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula is constantly present on the agenda of our dialogue with North Korea."
"Moreover, progress in this field is a mandatory condition of lifting the sanctions against the country which naturally impose big limits on our bilateral relations,” the source continued.