Russia expressed hope today that North Korea would "draw the right conclusions" and resume talks after the United Nations adopted the toughest sanctions to date on Pyongyang over its fourth nuclear test and rocket launch.
"We are hoping that the North Korean side will take this decision in an adequate manner, draw the right conclusions and return to the negotiating table to settle the nuclear problem on the Korean peninsula," the foreign ministry said.
The UN Security Council measures adopted yesterday were the product of seven weeks of arduous negotiations between Washington and Beijing, Pyongyang's sole ally and main provider of trade and aid.
Russia -- which enjoys friendly ties with the Stalinist regime -- said the new resolution was "rather tough" but added world powers had no other choice.
"For the past 10 years North Korea has defiantly ignored Security Council demands," the foreign ministry said, adding that the global community could not accept "irresponsible 'games' with missile-borne nuclear weapons."
But Russia also expressed hope that the new resolution would not be interpreted as an excuse to worsen the plight of North Koreans, when it came to the economic and humanitarian situation in the country.
Moscow reiterated its warning to Washington not to deploy a missile defence system to South Korea that could "escalate tensions" in the region.
Hours after the United Nations adopted the sanctions North Korea fired six short-range projectiles into the sea in a new show of defiance.
The latest resolution ushered in the fifth set of UN sanctions on North Korea since it first tested an atomic device in 2006.
