MOSCOW, June 17 (RIA Novosti) - Russia and China are in favor of resuming the six-nation talks on the North Korean nuclear problem, and resolving the issue by diplomatic means, the countries' leaders said in a joint statement.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev met with Chinese leader Hu Jintao in Moscow on Wednesday.
"The heads of state have expressed serious concerns over to the situation on the Korean peninsula, noting that UN Security Council resolution 1874 is aimed at strengthening political and diplomatic regulation of the nuclear problem on the Korean peninsula, and have spoken in favor of the soonest possible resumption of the six-party talks, and the implementation of obligations assumed by all participants in line with the joint statement of September 19, 2005," the statement said.
The six-nation talks, which involve North and South Korea, Russia, China, Japan and the United States opened in 2003, but stalled last November.
Russia and China have traditionally been cautious in pressuring North Korea over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, but both permanent members of the UN Security Council voted for sanctions against Pyongyang last week following its May 25 nuclear test.
North Korea responded on Saturday by saying it would start enriching uranium and using plutonium for military purposes, and warning that any attempt to isolate it would be countered militarily.
