Russia expresses support for U.N. North Korea sanctions

MOSCOW, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- Russia signaled its interest in supporting additional North Korea sanctions at the United Nations Security Council in response to Pyongyang's fifth nuclear test.

Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters on Thursday that Moscow supports sanctions that could penalize North Korea for violating previous resolutions, Yonhap reported.

Zakaharova said after an emergency meeting of the Security Council on Sept. 9 Russia joined other member states in adopting a press statement.

All Council members confirmed they would promptly pursue appropriate measures pursuant to Article 41 of the U.N. Charter, the spokeswoman said.

Article 41 gives the Security Council the power to decide what nonmilitary measures to use, including economic sanctions, in response to threats to international peace and stability.

Russia also issued a unilateral statement condemning North Korea's fifth nuclear test, a provocation that "cannot be tolerated."

China has been treading more carefully on the North Korea issue.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said Beijing supports additional measures against North Korea at the Security Council but he also said the country is opposed to unilateral sanctions.

Wang reportedly made the statement during a phone call with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida, according to Chinese state media and the foreign ministry website.

The United States and China are also exchanging preliminary views on a new sanctions proposal, according to a diplomatic source who spoke to Yonhap on Wednesday.