Russia Rejects N.Korea's Claim to Status of Nuclear Power - Lavrov

Moscow rejects Pyongyang's claim to the status of a nuclear power possessing atomic weapons and means of their delivery.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Moscow recognizes North Korea's right to develop a peaceful nuclear program, but rejects Pyongyang's claim to the status of a nuclear power possessing atomic weapons and means of their delivery, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

"We are very concerned about the situation on the Korean Peninsula and we consider it necessary to make all possible efforts to prevent the unwinding of a negative spiral, when actions by one side lead to additional counter-action by another side, making it a 'vicious circle,' Lavrov said in an interview with Mongolian, Chinese and Japanese media.

"We, as well as China, reject North Korea's nuclear-missile ambitions," Lavrov stressed.