New tactical weapon's test by Pyongyang not to affect preparations for Russian-N. Korean summit - Dzhabarov
MOSCOW. April 18 (Interfax) - Moscow does not welcome the testing of a new guided tactical weapon by North Korea but the tests can hardly hinder preparations for a Russian - North Korean summit, Federation Council Foreign Affairs Committee First Deputy Chairman Vladimir Dzhabarov said.
"Of course, Russia does not welcome the resumption of North Korea's missile program, but I do not think this will hinder a Russian - North Korean summit in the Far East. Anyway, North Korea must not be isolated," Dzhabarov told Interfax on Thursday.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised tests of a new guided tactical weapon on Wednesday.
At the least, this could freeze the dialogue between North Korea and the United States, Dzhabarov said.
"Perhaps, the Americans should give security guarantees to Pyongyang in exchange for shutting down the program of missile and nuclear tests. All interested parties, including the two Koreas, Russia, the United States, and Japan should begin negotiations," he said.
The newspaper Izvestia said on Wednesday citing an informed source in the Russian Foreign Ministry that the presidents of North Korea and Russia might meet in Vladivostok shortly before Vladimir Putin's departure for Beijing to attend the One Belt, One Road forum on April 26 and 27.