Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who is on a visit to North Korea, said Moscow respects and understands why Pyongyang is developing its nuclear program.
Russia has backed North Korea’s nuclear program and warned Washington not to team up with regional Asian allies against Moscow and Pyongyang, following military drills between the U.S., Japan and South Korea.
During a visit to North Korea, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow « respects » Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions. He also said that Russia and North Korea have taken note of President Donald Trump’s statements about Washington resuming contact with Pyongyang.
Newsweek has contacted the Russian foreign ministry for comment.Why It Matters
Lavrov’s visit comes after after South Korea, Japan and the U.S. conducted a joint air drill with a U.S. B-52 strategic bomber and fighter jets over international waters.
Lavrov’s view are the latest signal of deepening ties between Russia and North Korea but also suggest that Pyongyang’s atomic program is acting as a deterrent. His teasing of a resumption in contacts between Pyongyang and Washington is also significant.
