Pyongyang claimed Monday that it had successfully conducted its first ever nuclear weapons test, drawing a chorus of international condemnation even from traditional allies, such as China.
In comments to German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung, Putin said: "We should act [vis-a-vis North Korea] using political and diplomatic means, and our response to events should be adequate."
The Russian leader also stressed the importance of the rule of law in the international arena so that any nation, whatever its size, can feel secure.
"Smaller states will then have no desire to obtain advanced weaponry to ensure their security," he said.
Putin called for a more stringent nuclear non-proliferation regime, but said there should be no discrimination against any one country in terms of access to civilian nuclear technologies.
