High-level Russian delegation visits North Korea

A high-level delegation of Russian defense ministry officials visited North Korea on Wednesday, according to state media in Moscow, following Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s Tuesday comments signaling the U.S. is open to diplomatic talks with North Korea “without precondition.” 

Four Russian defense officials were seen at the Pyongyang airport on Wednesday in pictures released by state-run media, including the vice director of Russia’s National Defense Command Center, Victor Kalganov, according to NBC News. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin has urged the U.S. and South Korea to engage North Korea in diplomacy instead of economic sanctions to dissuade nuclear threats, warning against an escalation of tensions.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov reportedly approved of Tillerson’s comments, according to Russian state news agency Interfax. 

Tillerson said Tuesday at an Atlantic Council talk that it would be unrealistic to hold North Korea to giving up its nuclear program before being allowed to enter talks with the U.S., and that President Trump is also open to face-to-face dialogue.

“Let’s just meet. We can talk about the weather if you want,” he said. 

The top diplomat’s comments differ from previous statements from Trump, who has said that Tillerson is “wasting his time” in trying to negotiate with North Korea.

The White House later issued a statement saying that Trump’s position on the issue, for North Korea to surrender its weapons and cease missile testing altogether, has not changed.