Russia: US's "sharp warning" to North Korea only leads to "disaster"

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. Photo: Ria Novosti

According to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, this move by the US has "heated up" the already tense atmosphere, while there are only "emerging" positive signs of inter-Korean dialogue.

US Vice President Mike Pence made a harsh statement that the US will soon impose the toughest economic sanctions ever on North Korea, just before the Winter Olympics held in South Korea end.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that the US's continuous imposition of sanctions and threats of tougher measures against North Korea are making tensions worse.

"It seems that the US is trying very hard to tighten sanctions on Pyongyang, as well as threaten to use force, but has ignored, or even disregarded, the positive signals of dialogue between North Korea and South Korea," Mr. Ryabkov commented.

The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister also said that "aggressive" moves in resolving the North Korean issue will only lead to "disastrous" outcomes following "sharp warnings" from the US aimed at Pyongyang.

Russia expressed its hope that the US would "at least discuss in advance with countries in the region directly affected, such as South Korea and Japan, if war breaks out on the Korean peninsula."

Because if war happens, it will leave catastrophic consequences and America must bear full responsibility.

In resolving the North Korean issue, Russia has repeatedly called on the international community to support the joint roadmap prepared by Russia and China.

Accordingly, Moscow and Beijing have proposed a "double freeze" initiative, which would require North Korea to halt its missile and nuclear programs in exchange for the US and South Korea abandoning joint military exercises around the Korean peninsula.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has stressed that countries need to implement “without hesitation” all resolutions adopted by the United Nations Security Council regarding North Korea.

“In addition to sanctions, all these resolutions include provisions emphasizing the importance of returning to negotiations and we call for their implementation,” the Russian Foreign Minister said.