North Korean leader Kim Jong-il said his country was willing to discuss suspending nuclear weapons testing and production if six-nation talks on its nuclear programme are revived, Russian president Dmitry Medvedev's spokeswoman said today.
"Kim Jong-il expressed readiness to return to six-party talks without preconditions. In the course of the talks the North Koreans will be ready to resolve the issue of imposing a moratorium on testing and production of missile and nuclear weaponry," Natalya Timakova said after talks between Mr Kim and Mr Medvedev.
Mr Kim's pledge, if confirmed by Pyongyang, could help revive the six-party aid-for-disarmenent talks which collapsed in 2008.
The North Korean leader and the Russian premier held talks on Pyongyang's nuclear programme and economic cooperation, the Kremlin said today.
"Much attention will be paid to the topic of an early resumption of six-party talks to resolve the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula," the Kremlin said in a statement.
"Russia has consistently advocated a peaceful, political and diplomatic solution to this problem, for the restoration of dialogue and cooperation between North and South Korea."
After the talks Mr Medvedev called on Muammar Gadafy and Libya's rebels to stop fighting and sit down for talks.
"We want the Libyans to come to an agreement among themselves," Mr Medvedev said after at a Siberian military base.
"We would like (the fighting) to stop as soon as possible and for them to sit down at the negotiating table and reach an agreement on Libya's future."
Mr Medvedev also suggested Moscow could recognise the rebels as Libya's formal government if they can unite the country.
He said Gadafy still has some influence and military capabilities despite rebel successes.
Reuters