Putin: Sanctions not answer to North Korea

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday said sanctions are not the answer to solving the North Korean nuclear problem, instead urging dialogue, The Associated Press reported.

His comments came after Putin and South Korean President Moon Jae-in met in Russia. 

North Korea over the weekend said it successfully tested a miniaturized hydrogen bomb that can be placed on an intercontinental ballistic missile, a move that caused international condemnation.

{mosads}Putin said he told Moon that Russia believes North Korea’s test “flagrantly violates” international law and that the Kremlin condemns Pyongyang’s recent test, according to the AP.

After the meeting, Putin in comments carried on television pushed for a joint Russia-China approach to combating North Korea’s aggression, saying it “offers a genuine way to defuse the tensions and a step-by-step settlement.”

China’s ambassador to the United Nations in an emergency meeting of the Security Council on Monday urged a proposal from his country and Russia whereby North Korea would halt its nuclear and missile activities in exchange for the suspension of U.S.-South Korea military exercises

U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley said such a proposal is “insulting” and called for the “strongest measures possible” in response to North Korea. Haley said the U.S. would circulate a resolution for a vote next week.