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TEHRAN, November 30 - Russia’s Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Vassily Nebenzia has called on the United States and South and North Koreas to avoid any measure that can further escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
TEHRAN, Young Journalists Club (YJC) - “We strongly call on all concerned parties to stop this spiral of tension. It is essential to take a step back and weigh the consequences of each move,” Nebenzia said at an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Wednesday, hours after Pyongyang test-launched its “most powerful” ballistic missile following a two-month lull in missile tests.
The Hwasong-15 missile flew higher than any other missiles launched by the North ever, according to North Korean state media, which also said the missile ended up landing in Japanese waters after travelling 960 kilometers and reaching the height of 4,500 kilometers.
North Korea said following the test that it had now completed its full nuclear force.
The missile test provoked a US reaction, with President Donald Trump saying Washington would impose “additional major sanctions” on Pyongyang.
Washington and Seoul are scheduled to conduct a regular joint drill, called Vigilant Ace, in the Korean Peninsula region from December 4 to 8. Six F-22 Raptor stealth fighters plus 230 other aircraft, mostly F-35 fighter jets, along with 12,000 US personnel, Marine Corps, and US Navy and South Korean troops will take part in the war games.
Nebenzia, the Russian ambassador, urged the US and South Korea to cancel that drill, which he said “will only inflame an already explosive situation.”
The Russian diplomat also criticized the North’s missile and nuclear tests, saying Pyongyang’s “yet another demonstrative disregard” of the UNSC’s resolutions was “highly regrettable” and “deserves the most resolute condemnation.”
“Russia finds North Korea’s claims for a status of nuclear power unacceptable and has supported all United Nations Security Council resolutions demanding Pyongyang stop its nuclear missile program in the interests of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula,” he further said.
At the same UNSC session, US envoy to the UN Nikki Haley echoed Trump’s earlier threats against Pyongyang. She further urged all countries to sever ties with the North and called on China, Pyongyang’s main economic partner, to exert pressure on the North by means of stopping oil supplies to the peninsular country.
Nebenzia, however, said that sanctions were only a means to reach political and diplomatic settlements and that they should not be considered as a goal.
The US has been in a constant tussle with North Korea over its weapons programs.
Washington says those programs pose a threat to the US and its allies while North Korea says it needs to develop its military strength to guard against potential invasion by the US and its allies.
Source: Presstv
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