Current:Home > reviewsRussia’s top diplomat accuses US, South Korea and Japan of preparing for war with North Korea -VisionFunds
Russia’s top diplomat accuses US, South Korea and Japan of preparing for war with North Korea
View
Date:2025-04-16 08:24:16
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Russia’s top diplomat accused the United States, South Korea and Japan on Wednesday of preparing for war with North Korea.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a U.N. news conference that this new military bloc brought together by the United States is building up military activity and conducting large-scale exercises.
All of a sudden South Korea’s rhetoric “became even more hostile towards Pyongyang,” he said. “In Japan as well, we hear aggressive rhetoric” and it is seriously talking about setting up NATO infrastructure with U.S. assistance.
Lavrov said the objective of the military bloc is clearly stated: “They’re preparing for war with the DPRK,” the initials of North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
The Russian minister said the U.S., South Korea and Japan have also been talking about developing their cooperation. “It’s quite wishy-washy the way they phrased it, but they said something like nuclear-related cooperation,” he said.
Last week, the three countries conducted combined naval exercises involving an American aircraft carrier in their latest show of strength against nuclear-armed North Korea.
North Korea’s Kim has been on a provocative run of weapons testing and threats that raised regional tensions to their highest point in years. Senior diplomats from the three allies were to meet in Seoul to discuss the worsening standoff with Pyongyang.
On the other hand, Lavrov said Russia’s relationship with the DPRK is “proceeding nicely, its developing quite actively.”
“We see that the DPRK is trying to be independent, not to dance anybody’s tune,” he said.
Kim Jong Un is one of the few world leaders openly supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine. Kim has been actively boosting the visibility of his ties with Russia in an attempt to break out of diplomatic isolation and strengthen his footing, as he navigates a deepening nuclear standoff with Washington, Seoul and Tokyo.
Putin confirmed his willingness to visit the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, at a convenient time during his meeting with Kim in Russia’s Far East in September. Lavrov said the timing will be decided by the Kremlin.
Lavrov compared Kim’s recent announcement that North Korea would not reunify with South Korea to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statement saying there will be no Palestinian state after the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
“It’s terrible when, instead of unity, we have trends which divide us,” the Russian minister said. “And yet, this is a systematic process across many regions, and the main contributor to that trend are those who believe to be the masters of the universe.”
Without naming the U.S. and former Western colonial powers, he said countries that told others how to live for half a millennium and believe they are “masters of the universe” ignore that the overwhelming majority of ex-colonies and are now independent and want to buttress their, cultural and religious identity.
These ex colonial states are “leaving the West behind,” pointing to the BRICS economic bloc of developing economies that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. countries. The BRICS members have invited Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Ethiopia to join.
Lavrov said “the ex-colonial powers have to face up to the reality in today’s world.”
“You shouldn’t just think that you’re so strong just because you have the dollar,” he said.
veryGood! (79)
Related
- NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
- Ludacris causes fans to worry after he drinks 'fresh glacial water' in Alaska
- The US Appetite for Electricity Grew Massively in the First Half of 2024, and Solar Power Rose to the Occasion
- Kelly Osbourne's Boyfriend Sid Wilson Says His Face Is Basically Melted After Explosion
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- Paralympics in prime time: Athletes see progress but still a long way to go
- 'A good, kind soul': Friends remember murdered Florida fraternity brother as execution nears
- Ukraine says one of its Western-donated F-16 warplanes has crashed
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- How to get rid of body odor, according to medical experts
Ranking
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- Raise from Tennessee makes Danny White the highest-paid athletic director at public school
- Hailey Bieber and Justin Bieber’s Pal Adwoa Aboah Reveals Baby Jack’s True Birth Date
- 'Incredibly dangerous men': These Yankees are a spectacle for fans to cherish
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- 'The Acolyte' star Amandla Stenberg slams 'targeted attack' by 'the alt-right' on 'Star Wars' show
- Claim to Fame Finale Reveals Real Housewife's Brother: Find Out Who Won
- Jack Del Rio, former NFL head coach, hired by Wisconsin's Luke Fickell
Recommendation
Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
Bold fantasy football predictions for 2024: Rashee Rice and other league-winning players
A Hong Kong court convicts 2 journalists in a landmark sedition case
Ballot measures in 41 states give voters a say on abortion and other tough questions
NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
Fall is bringing fantasy (and romantasy), literary fiction, politics and Taylor-ed book offerings
'I probably put my foot in my mouth': Zac Taylor comments on Ja'Marr Chase availability
Caitlin Clark sets WNBA rookie record for 3s as Fever beat Sun and snap 11-game skid in series