Russia objects to US proposed force against North Korea

The defence ministry of Russia has objected to calls by the United States for UN action on North Korea saying the missile tested by Pyongyang on Tuesday was of medium-range.

Russia also wants the US to amend its statement after it stated its preparedness to defend itself and its allies in case of a possible attack by defiant North Korea led by Kim Jong Un, stressing that it’ll use force if need be.

The Russian mission to the United Nations insisted it had not blocked the statement but rather suggested that the United States “make appropriate amendments to it”.

“The Russian delegation could not agree to define the launch as an intercontinental ballistic missile test,” the mission said, adding that the Russian defense ministry believed, based on its tracking systems, that the missile was of medium-range.

Read also: US vows to use force against North Korea if need be

Addressing an emergency council meeting on Wednesday, Russian Deputy Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov said Moscow opposed the move, arguing that “sanctions will not resolve the issue”.

The US and the United Nations have said the Hwasong-14 launched on Tuesday was of intercontinental range.

A day ago, US Ambassador Nikki Haley said that “the world has become a more dangerous place” with North Korea’s threat but said it prefers to use its clout in international trade to address the growing issue while also noting that China has a key role in promoting peace.

Haley said that the North’s launch of an ICBM “is a clear and sharp military escalation” and the US is prepared to use its “considerable military forces” to defend itself and its allies “if we must”.

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