MOSCOW. April 23 (Interfax) - The situation surrounding the North Korean nuclear program has stabilized to some degree over the past few months, largely due to initiatives forwarded by North Korea, whose relations with Seoul and Washington are normalizing, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov said.
"Over the past few months, the situation in the Korean Peninsula has somewhat stabilized. That became possible largely thanks to the initiatives of the DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea], the moratorium on nuclear missile tests, and the closure of the nuclear testing facility," Ushakov told reporters at a press briefing ahead of the talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un due in Vladivostok on April 25.
The matter of politico-diplomatic resolution of the Korean Peninsula nuclear problem will be in the spotlight at the first meeting of the two leaders, he said.
Among positive aspects, Ushakov mentioned "the beginnings of normalization of Pyongyang's relations with Seoul and Washington". "I would also like to note that in the absence of visible results following the latest U.S.-North Korea summit that took place in Hanoi this February, both sides still seem to display commitment and interest in continuing their dialogue. We believe this is very important, and this commitment and interest should be demonstrated further," he said.