No alternative to a peace settlement on the Korean Peninsula

Russia is deeply concerned over the situation on the Korean Peninsula, where confrontation is moving into its hottest phase since the conflict sixty years ago. However, North Korea continues to violate UN Security Council resolutions.

At the same time, we believe the policy of pressing Pyongyang to make it stop its nuclear missile program is misguided and dangerous. The problems of the region should only be settled through a direct dialogue with all the parties concerned without any preconditions. Provocations, pressure and insulting rhetoric are a dead-end. We urge the conflicting parties to show restraint, act responsibly and put an end to their belligerent rhetoric and actions.

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Russia and China have proposed a roadmap for a settlement on the Korean Peninsula that is designed to promote gradual easing of tensions and create a mechanism for lasting peace and security. It deserves serious attention as a starting point to overcome the current impasse and renew the negotiating process. We need to seek channels of communication with Pyongyang to lead the Koreans to a substantive dialogue on nuclear and missile issues, and the roadmap provides these opportunities.