Russian FM Lavrov Warns Against Using Military Force to Resolve N Korean Crisis

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday, at a meeting with his North Korean counterpart Ri Yong-ho, called for avoiding a military scenario on the Korean Peninsula, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — According to the staetement, the two ministers exchanged views on important issues of bilateral relations development, discussed the current situation on the Korean Peninsula in the context of ensuring security in Northeast Asia.

"Lavrov urged all parties involved to show maximum restraint in order to avoid the implementation of negative military scenarios on the Korean Peninsula and immediately start looking for a politico-diplomatic settlement through a comprehensive solution of the problems of the peninsula, including its denuclearization," it said.

The meeting of the two ministers was held in Manila, the capital of the Philippines, where they arrived to participate in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) events.

On Saturday, the UN Security Council (UNSC) unanimously adopted Resolution 2371, which further tightens sanctions imposed on North Korea. The restrictions put a ban on coal, iron, iron ore, lead and seafood imports from the Asian nation to UN member states, and also prohibit UN members from setting up joint ventures with North Korean entities or individuals, or increasing the number of North Korean workers engaged in projects within any member state.