Lavrov: it is hardly possible to resolve North Korea situation in bilateral format

It will hardly be possible to solve North Korea problems, including the peninsula denuclearization stages, in the bilateral format, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.

"Regarding all the importance of the solution of the problems between the United States and North Korea, including the peninsula denuclearization stages and security guarantees, it is clear that it will hardly be possible to solve these problems in the bilateral format," Lavrov stressed. "All the participants of the six-party talks have always proceeded from the fact that this process has to result in the creation of a system of peace, security and stability across Northeast Asia."

The minister also called for special attention to be paid to terms when discussing the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

"For example, many commentators who voice their opinion about the developments state that an agreement on the denuclearization of North Korea was reached," Lavrov noted. "However, Pyongyang itself, just like all of us, like Russia, China and the international community in general, has always spoken of the denuclearization of the whole Korean Peninsula. The difference is great, as you can see," he stressed.

However, the minister noted that the direct contact between the US and North Korean leaders is "worth support." "The Russian-Chinese roadmap that was proposed less than a year ago stipulated the rejection of a hostile rhetoric and provocative actions by both sides at the first stage and the establishment of direct contact and the start of discussions on all problems of both sides at the second stage," he reiterated. "By all accounts, the interactions between Washington and Pyongyang are leading exactly in this direction. President Trump’s statement that there is no need for new American-South Korean drills at the specified stage will help further gain the right pace."

"The document, which was signed in Singapore, is apparently framework. Much time is needed to coordinate the details linked to the most difficult problem of the nuclear potential," Lavrov pointed out. "I hope that the negotiators will have enough patience for it," TASS cited the diplomat as saying.