International security

Russia Assessing Possible Outcome of North Korea Military Option

Russia is examining a possible outcome of a military option for dealing with the North Korea crisis, Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev has told Sputnik.

Asked whether Russia had any contingency plan in place for a potential military solution to the standoff over the North's nuclear ambition, he replied that "we are assessing this and preparing ourselves. We will not be taken by surprise."

Patrushev admitted that Pyongyang’s behaviour put Russia at risk. "We basically share the border with them. That’s why we are interested in a political and diplomatic solution."

The secretary stressed that Russia will not allow military action against North Korea, after the US diplomat at the United Nations threatened Pyongyang with destruction.

"If there is military action – and you know some countries do not rule it out – this would create all sorts of problems, including for us," he said. "But we cannot let that happen."