MOSCOW. Sept 12 (Interfax) - Russia has supported the United Nations Security Council resolution to increase sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), but further pressure will drive the situation into a deadlock, and Moscow hopes that all parties will avoid ill-considered steps, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko said.
"Russia supported the UN Security Council resolution with respect to the DPRK in the interests of the safety of our country and of the region in general. We have been consistent in our position. We believe that all possible measures must be taken to keep the non-proliferation regime in place. At the same time, I want to note: sanctions pressure always has its limit, and in the case of North Korea, it has practically been reached," Matviyenko told journalists on Tuesday.
"A continuation of such actions clearly leads to a deadlock and risks unpredictable consequences," Matviyenko said.
The resolution imposes extremely strict sanctions affecting imports and exports, she said.
"The North Korean state's losses will increase. Of course, this will reflect on the life of the country's population. But take note: the resolution could have been tougher. The document did not include the extreme measures initially proposed by the U.S. It has been changed, not least thanks to the Russian and Chinese positions," Matviyenko said.
The UN Security Council was able to achieve unity on the issue, but should not stop at this, she said.
"As you know, Russia and China came up with quite a specific, constructive proposal on how to settle the situation on the Korean peninsula. We have every right to expect our UN Security Council partners to be understanding of our concern about the increasing confrontation and tension in the region. We hope that all parties will avoid abrupt, ill-considered steps and announcements," Matviyenko said.