MOSCOW. July 18 (Interfax) - The United States understands that it is counterproductive to demand from North Korea unilateral steps on denuclearization, Russian Ambassador in Pyongyang Alexander Matsegora said in an interview with Interfax.
North Korea will not agree to that and reciprocal steps, including the relaxation of the sanctions, are needed, he said.
Responding to a question as to what steps Pyongyang needs to take for the lifting of the sanctions to gradually begin, the high-ranking Russian diplomat said that, in accordance with the Singapore declaration, U.S. President Donald trump has agreed that the parties' actions in the denuclearization process should be gradual and synchronous.
"That means that the U.S. administration understands the counterproductiveness of demands for unilateral steps by North Korea, that something needs to be offered and done in exchange. Relaxation of the sanctions is one of the possible options," Matsegora said.