"I cannot say that we are not considering a threat what is going on with the Korean peninsula because of what North Korea is doing in gross violation of the Security Council resolutions," Lavrov told the NBC network.
"We do not believe in regime change anywhere. I hear very enthusiastic voices in the United States, including in some parts of this administration, that the patience has been over and they must do something because the threat is growing and growing, intercontinental ballistic missile was launched … And those who keep those scenarios in their minds, I believe they are not responsible as politicians."
On July 4, North Korea announced it had successfully launched its first intercontinental ballistic missile, saying it traveled 580 miles and reached an altitude of 1,740 miles during its 39-minute flight before accurately hitting a targeted area in the Sea of Japan. The test was sharply criticized by the international community.
Last week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russia was categorically against Pyongyang’s tests, calling them provocations.