VLADIVOSTOK, September 6. /TASS/. South Korea confirmed its interest in creating a free trade zone with the Eurasian Economic Union (Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan), said Russian President Vladimir Putin at the 2017 Eastern Economic Forum on Wednesday. "During the talks, the Korean side has confirmed its interest in creating a free trade zone with the Eurasian Economic Union, it was decided to continue expert consultations on this matter," Putin told journalists after the talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-In.

According to the president, "we could be talking about supplying Russian pipe gas to Korea, integration of power grids, railway systems in Russia and the Republic of South Korea and North Korea." The Russian leader believes that "the implementation of these initiatives will not only bring economic benefits, but also contribute to the strengthening of trust and stability on the Korean peninsula."

President Putin is sure that sanctions alone will not solve the problems of the Korean peninsula. "It is clear that it is impossible to solve the problems of the Korean Peninsula by sanctions and pressure alone," said he. "We shouldn't give into emotions and back North Korea into a corner."