Russia is ready to hold impartial consultations at the UN on the sinking of South Korea's Cheonan warship, the Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.
The 1,200-ton warship sank near the disputed Northern Limit Line in the Yellow Sea on March 26, causing the loss of 46 lives. An international investigation revealed that North Korea fired a torpedo at the vessel from a submarine, although Pyongyang has denied the allegations.
South Korea referred the issue to the United Nations Security Council on June 4. North Korea has threatened "serious consequences" if the council considers the issue.
"The Russian side regards South Korea putting this issue in front of the UN Security Council seriously and impartially," a statement from the ministry said.
"We are ready for continuing intense diplomatic consultations on the issue of Cheonan sinking, both [at the United Nations] in New York and the capitals of the states concerned," ministry's press service said.
A team of Russian experts returned from South Korea this week after reviewing the evidence cited in the international report on the sinking. A senior defense official said on Wednesday that Russia will release a report on the sinking of the vessel in July.
MOSCOW, June 9 (RIA Novosti)
