Russian diplomat chief Sergei Lavrov condemned the “dangerous” military policy of the United States and its Japanese and South Korean allies against North Korea on Thursday after talks with North Korean leaders in Pyongyang.
“Like our North Korean friends, we are deeply concerned about the intensification of military activities of the United States, Japan and South Korea in the region and about Washington’s policies,” the Russian minister said during a press conference.
According to him, the Americans are moving “strategic infrastructure there, including nuclear elements,” he said, without giving further details.
“We are against this unconstructive and dangerous line,” Lavrov added.
On an official visit to North Korea since Wednesday, Lavrov reiterated that Moscow, Beijing and Pyongyang are “trying to constructively propose alternatives to the escalation of tensions” in the region.
“We support the establishment of a regular negotiation process on security issues on the Korean peninsula without preconditions,” he told reporters.
Sergey Lavrov’s trip to North Korea comes amid a rapprochement between Moscow and Pyongyang, against the backdrop of the conflict in Ukraine, with the United States fearing Russia will seek to obtain weapons from its North Korean neighbor for its offensive.
In September, Vladimir Putin welcomed North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to a summit in the Russian Far East with great fanfare, but the Kremlin subsequently asserted that “no agreement” had been signed on that occasion.
According to the Kremlin, Mr Lavrov’s talks this week are intended to lay the groundwork for a future visit by Mr Putin to North Korea.
“(Contacts) will continue” between the two capitals, the minister said on Thursday.