MOSCOW: Russia on Friday called for 鈥渞estraint鈥� over the situation in North Korea, warning against any 鈥減rovocative steps鈥� after Washington said it was assessing military options in response to the country鈥檚 weapons programs.
鈥淢oscow is watching with great concern the escalation of tensions on the Korean peninsula,鈥� Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists.
鈥淲e call for restraint from all countries and warn countries not to pursue actions that could consist of any provocative steps,鈥� he added.
Speculation has mounted in recent days that Pyongyang is preparing to fire a trial nuke or missile when it marks a major anniversary on Saturday, prompting US President Donald Trump to pledge the matter 鈥渨ill be taken care of.鈥�
Trump has sent an aircraft carrier-led strike group to the Korean peninsula to press his point, in one of a series of signals indicating his willingness to shake up foreign policy strategy.
Russia鈥檚 North Korea envoy Alexander Matsegora on Friday said he does not rule out a test or launch in the near future, expressing concern that Trump could take a fateful decision without any North Korea experts on his team.
鈥淚f Mr. Trump would listen to a Russian Korea expert with 40 years of experience, I would advise him not to do it,鈥� he told RIA-Novosti of a potential US strike.
鈥淩ight now we all must stop at the edge of the abyss and not take this fateful step,鈥� he said.