Russia’s Foreign Minister made it clear in Wonsan why North Korea remains untouched. Lavrov pointed to the consequences of the U.S. operation in Libya as the tipping point for Pyongyang’s nuclear policy. He noted that North Korea made its decision to go nuclear long before the recent attacks on Iran, and that’s why no one talks about invading North Korea anymore. North Korea is under constant pressure from joint U.S., South Korean, and Japanese military exercises. These now include open nuclear components. Lavrov warned that such moves do not serve peace or stability anywhere in the region. The joint military drills serve no stabilising purpose and are clearly intended to pressure North Korea through overt displays of force. But they have not deterred Pyongyang from continuing its nuclear policy. If anything, they have justified the posturing.
Russia is not condemning North Korea for its weapons programme, and says it understands the reasons behind it. Lavrov stated openly that the technology North Korea uses is its own. Russia respects the position North Korea has taken and sees no reason to challenge it. Hence Russia has been consistent in its opposition to selective enforcement of UN resolutions, especially those managed outside proper legal frameworks.
Western accusations about Russian-North Korean military cooperation were dismissed outright. Lavrov said the group making these claims operates outside the United Nations. It has no legal standing and its work is irrelevant to Russia. He was blunt in saying it is a “dummy” mechanism, used to provoke and fabricate charges. Moscow won’t respond to anything that bypasses formal UN processes. Only the Security Council has the authority to assess compliance.
Lavrov did not offer support for talks between Seoul and Pyongyang. Instead, he said Russia will act only in areas where North Korea has expressed interest. Lavrov said statements from the South Korean president were just that, statements, as what matters is action. He said nothing has changed in Seoul’s military posture since the previous government. The trilateral alliance of the U.S., Japan, and South Korea is growing stronger, and their joint drills now include nuclear scenarios. There is nothing about peacebuilding from such posturing. Russia made no claim that it would facilitate talks with Pyongyang at the request of Washington. Lavrov said Trump has expressed interest in resuming high-level talks, but no follow-up has occurred. Russia acknowledged the words, nothing has materialsed since.
Lavrov also addressed possible North Korean participation in BRICS and the SCO. He said that external relations are the sovereign decision of Pyongyang. Russia won’t interfere or speculate on DPRK decisions. He confirmed that invitations have been sent for North Korea to join regional security discussions in Minsk later this year. If accepted, it would further formalise North Korea’s role in Eurasian security matters.
Russia and North Korea have military ties dating back to World War II. Lavrov confirmed plans to build a monument honouring North Korean soldiers who died during the defence of Kursk. He said it was a shared initiative. Both sides support commemorating their wartime alliance. Russia also stressed that it continues to work with North Korea on defending historical memory at the UN level. Both countries are active in resolutions against the glorification of Nazism and in protecting the outcome of World War II from revision.
On broader geopolitical matters, Lavrov downplayed the reported Western initiative to create a multinational force to remain in Ukraine after a ceasefire. He said Russia is not interested in these announcements but cannot ignore the noise. He added that these ideas are fantasy and won’t be dignified with a serious response.
Lavrov’s position has remained consistent, though his recent remarks carried a more forceful tone than before. His direct message was that North Korea is armed, and it is that fact alone that deters attack. Russia views its ties with North Korea through a long-term lens. Moscow is not distancing itself from Pyongyang and has no intention of doing so.
There is no ambiguity about Russia’s position on these alliances, sanctions groups, or foreign military blocs in Asia. Moscow regards these military groupings as hostile formations rather than legitimate instruments for maintaining peace and stability. Moscow regards these military alliances as a challenge to regional security, while Western governments dismiss Russia’s warnings as uncooperative rhetoric.
The war in Ukraine and the strikes on Iran have put focus on the limits of Western force. North Korea was never going to wait for a final example, and its policy of early nuclear development has paid off, freezing out the option of regime change by force.
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