Russian President Vladimir Putin urged the international community to hold fresh talks to try to resolve the North Korean crisis on Wednesday, warning that progress would be “impossible” without a commitment to dialogue.
“It is clear that it is impossible to resolve the problem of the Korean Peninsula only by sanctions and pressure,” Putin told reporters at a joint news conference alongside South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in.
Speaking in the Russian city of Vladivostok, Putin condemned North Korea’s ongoing nuclear and missile program, describing the tests as a flagrant violation of UN rules.
The isolated regime has conducted a flurry of missile tests in recent weeks amid escalating international unease. However, Pyongyang’s sixth – and largest ever – nuclear test on Sunday once again stirred geopolitical tensions.
Russia, which shares a border with North Korea, has repeatedly called for negotiations with Pyongyang, suggesting that the U.S. and South Korea should discontinue all war games in exchange for North Korea halting its testing program.
On Tuesday, Putin said imposing tougher sanctions on Pyongyang would be counter-productive and said threats of military action could prompt a “global catastrophe.”
In stark contrast to Putin’s calls for further international dialogue, President Donald Trump said last week that “talking is not the answer” when it comes to reining in North Korea.
“The U.S. has been talking to North Korea, and paying them extortion money, for 25 years. Talking is not the answer!” Trump tweeted, shortly after Pyongyang had launched a missile which flew over northern Japan.
Putin says solving North Korea crisis 'impossible' without dialogue, calls for fresh talks