Russia opposes 'total embargo' on North Korea

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA

Moscow has never supported the idea of a "total embargo" on North Korea, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Wednesday.

"We have never supported the idea of a total embargo of North Korea, like any other country," Ryabkov was quoted as saying by the Russian news agency RIA Novosti.

Ryabkov's remarks came right after U.S. President Donald Trump called on countries, including Russia and China, to fully implement UN Security Council resolutions, downgrade diplomatic relations with Pyongyang, and sever all ties of trade and technology.

He said Moscow believed that the problems related to North Korea should be resolved in a "completely different" way.

Ryabkov added Russia did not support pressure, sanctions or embargo, adding: "We believe that there is an alternative."

He reiterated that Moscow will continue to support a political and diplomatic solution to the situation in the Korean peninsula.

Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin are expected to meet this week at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Vietnam, where they will discuss North Korea.