PARIS (Sputnik) – Kremlin has denounced the decision of the DPRK to proceed with ICBM testing, and hopes that other parties to the conflict will be able to remain calm, so as not to worsen the situation, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
Moscow still does not see any reason for significant optimism in implementing the proposed "road map" for resolving the situation around the DPRK, Peskov added.
"We urge North Korea to stop the nuclear and missile tests, and the United States and the Republic of Korea — to refrain from carrying out unplanned air forces drills, unprecedented in scale and scheduled for December this year, since it will only exacerbate the situation, which is already explosive," the Russian Foreign Ministry press release read.
China has expressed extreme concern over North Korea's latest missile test, and has urged Pyongyang to comply with UN Security Council resolutions, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Wednesday.
Earlier, Russia and China offered North Korea the option to declare a moratorium on nuclear tests and missile launches, and suggested that South Korea and the United States refrain from conducting exercises in the region to stabilize the situation on the peninsula, but Washington ignored this initiative.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian strongly denounced North Korea's latest missile test, urging for the strengthening of sanctions against Pyongyang.
"I strongly condemn the missile launch which North Korea carried out today. France is expressing its solidarity with Japan and South Korea in the face of this threat… I reiterate my conviction that the time has come to increase pressure and sanctions [against Pyongyang]," Le Drian said in a statement.
READ MORE: DPRK Claims Recently Tested Ballistic Missile Capable of Reaching All of US
North Korea has demonstrated by carrying out the latest missile test that it poses a threat to the stability of the entire region, German government deputy spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer said Wednesday.
She added that the latest missile launch was "a violation of the relevant UN resolution and provocation for the entire international community."
On Wednesday, North Korea conducted a new missile launch. The missile traveled about 620 miles east before falling into the Sea of Japan. Pyongyang later announced in an official statement that this was an intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong-15.
North Koreans in #Pyongyang celebrate announcement of new #ICBM #missile test @AFPphoto #DPRK #nuclear pic.twitter.com/auiK9gIWOH
— Giles Hewitt (@gileshewitt) 29 ноября 2017 г.
North Korea has been conducting its missile and nuclear tests in violation of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. The last missile test before the 29 November launch took place on September 15, with the missile flying over Japan before falling into the northern Pacific.
