(RIA Novosti) - Russia's defense minister said Friday he intends to discuss North Korea's nuclear program with the U.S. state secretary during her upcoming visit, reports Trend.
The UN Security Council passed a resolution on North Korea October 14 following its underground nuclear test explosion, condemning the test and imposing arms and financial sanctions. Pyongyang said the resolution is tantamount to a declaration of war.
Sergei Ivanov, who is also a deputy prime minister, said he is scheduled to meet with Condoleezza Rice, who is expected in Moscow October 21.
"Our estimation of the nuclear test in North Korea remains the same - we are promoting a non-nuclear status on the Korean Peninsula, with all that it implies," Ivanov said.
The United States proposed protecting South Korea from its reclusive Communist neighbor with a "nuclear umbrella," a military guarantee offered by a nuclear power to a non-nuclear country allied with it in a bid to deter nuclear attacks from third countries.
When asked to comment on the proposals Ivanov said: "It is rather incorrect to comment on the bilateral relations of other states."
The Security Council resolution, which called the test a "clear threat to international peace and security," allows for the inspection of cargo to or from North Korea that may contain weapons of mass destruction or elements of such weapons, and calls on all countries to freeze North Korea's funds connected to its non-conventional arms program.
The sanctions will be lifted as soon as Pyongyang agrees to give up its nuclear program and returns to the six-nation talks with South Korea, Russia, Japan, China and the United States.
The six-nation talks on the nuclear issue - between North Korea, South Korea, Russia, Japan, China and the United States - were launched in 2003, when the North withdrew from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, but stalled last November over Pyongyang's demand that the U.S. lift sanctions imposed on it for its alleged involvement in counterfeiting and other illegal activities.