Russia hopes for change in US approach toward North Korea — envoy

MOSCOW, September 24. /TASS/. Russia hopes that the US policy toward North Korea will change, but so far no developments have been observed, envoy to international organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov told reporters.

He noted that North Korea's acquisition of nuclear weapons was not without reason, given the country's security situation. According to the envoy, the US has maintained a hostile stance for many years, forging alliances against North Korea with the participation of South Korea and Japan. "So Pyongyang decided for itself that, in this situation, it was not in its best interest to remain in the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and that it needed to develop nuclear weapons. This is its national decision. Of course, we are in favor of strengthening the NPT so that no one withdraws from it. But in this case, Pyongyang was forced to take such radical steps," Ulyanov noted.

"By the way, just a week ago, I believe, Mr. [President Donald] Trump described the US policy toward Pyongyang, which he himself is leading, as somewhat inappropriate and dangerous. Those are very apt words. Perhaps some changes will begin on this front. So far, however, we see no changes," the envoy concluded.