MOSCOW, September 9. /TASS/. The Kremlin is extremely worried over the latest nuclear tests in North Korea and condemns them, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists Friday.
"I can say that this event has certainly caused our extreme concern," he said, adding that Russia will continue work with partners to solve the problem.
Peskov said North Korea’s nuclear tests do not help establish security on the Korean peninsula.
"We believe that such actions on the part of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea [DPRK] do not help the cause of establishing the atmosphere of security and mutual trust on the Korean peninsula," Peskov told reporters. "Moreover, they lead to escalating tensions."
"We are calling upon all parties to display self-restraint and are systematically pushing for de-escalation of the situation in the peninsula and its de-nuclearization," he said.
Peskov said Russia’s position on the issue is well-known.
"We believe that this [the holding by the DPRK of nuclear tests] does not correspond to norms of international law and deserves condemnation," he said.
Speaking about Russia’s position at today’s United Nations Security Council meeting, Peskov said that "Moscow is ready for close coordination of its steps in order to work out an international reaction to Pyongyang’s actions, and naturally will hold intensive consultations with all partners."
The Kremlin spokesman also left the question whether Pyongyang had warned Moscow of the planned explosion without an answer.
North Korea held its fifth nuclear test Friday. Pyongyang said the test "confirmed that the nuclear warhead may be mounted on ballistic missiles of the country’s Armed Forces. according to the Republic of Korea’s National Defense Ministry, this is the most powerful device tested in the DPRK. Its power is assessed at about 10 kilotonnes.