North Korea crisis: Putin and Abe call for talks - BBC News
Russia's Vladimir Putin has called for the resumption of talks with North Korea as tensions on the peninsula continue to escalate.
Speaking in Moscow, where he met Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, he urged those involved to "refrain from using belligerent rhetoric".
Mr Putin said both wanted to see "peaceful, constructive dialogue" between the opposing parties.
Mr Abe is keen to ensure the situation does not deteriorate further.
Speaking on Thursday, Mr Putin said: "In my opinion, and in the opinion of the prime minister, the situation on the Korean peninsula has unfortunately got a lot worse.
"We call on all governments involved in regional matters to refrain from using belligerent rhetoric and to strive for peaceful constructive dialogue."