Russia and North Korea say fresh sanctions on Pyongyang would be futile as the UN decides how to respond to its latest nuclear test.
ADVERTISEMENTNorth Korea has labelled its sixth nuclear test explosion “a ‘gift package’ addressed to none other than the US.” Its ambassador to the United Nations said the detonations were ‘self-defence measures’ and warned ‘pressure or sanctions’ on DPRK would never work.
Russia appeared to agree. Speaking on the fringes of the BRICS summit in China, President Vladimir Putin condemned what he called the ‘provocative tests’, but added:
“Imposing tougher sanctions in this context would be useless and ineffective.”
“Whipping up military hysteria makes absolutely no sense in this situation … This is a road to nowhere,” he said, saying that threats of military action could trigger “a global catastrophe.”
threats of military action could trigger “a global catastrophe”.
Putin said sanctions would not lead to a change of leadership in Pyongyang.
Putin says tougher North Korea sanctions senseless, warns of global catastrophe https://t.co/Pb2CZikAcVpic.twitter.com/yTtpSmbYQZ
— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) 5 septembre 2017
Germany is pushing for Europe to present a united front in its reaction the Pyongyang’s tests. Chancellor Angela Merkel said:
“The fact that North Korea is at a certain distance from us should not deter us from resolutely advocating a diplomatic solution here. Europe has an important voice in the world and must use that voice in this situation.”
Following the September 3rd test, South Korea announced an agreement with its ally the US, to scrap a weight limit on its warheads, saying this would help it respond to the threat from its northern neighbour.
The US is continuing to push for a new Security Council resolution which would impose the strongest sanctions yet on North Korea.