Most Popular

Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova at a press conference on March 25 branded and condemned the joint military exercises staged by the US and the ROK as an undisguised war drill.

As regards the large-scale joint military exercises Freedom Shield staged by them from March 9 to 19, she noted that though it was officially announced as a “defensive drill”, it cannot be judged otherwise than an undisguised war drill in the light of its content and military and technical equipment involved.

Noting that such active military moves of the US and the ROK do not help defuse the tension at all, she said that though the ROK argues for “détente”, such acts are in fact a far cry from having a positive influence on the situation and coordinating the circumstances politically and diplomatically.

As long as the ruling circles of the US and the ROK are hell-bent on intensifying military pressure and sanctions against Pyongyang, there would be no positive progress on the Korean peninsula, she said, adding: Moscow is convinced that only when they completely abandon their bellicose behaviour and take into account the security concerns of the DPRK, can they lay a foundation for taking a comprehensive joint measure for ensuring lasting peace and security in Northeast Asia.