(VOVworld) – The Russian Foreign Ministry has warned of tragic consequences on the Korean Peninsula.

Russian Foreign Ministry official spokeswoman Maria Zakharova (Photo: Sputnik)

Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters on Wednesday that the exchange of threats between the US and North Korea looks like a "cross fire of mass destruction", but there is a solution to the problem through negotiations. Russia has blocked a proposed UN Security Council statement that would have punished North Korea's latest missile test with tougher sanctions. Russia objected to the removal of language promoting a settlement "through dialogue".

US Vice President Mike Pence said on Wednesday that North Korea should not challenge the US’s resolve, adding that the US will thwart any attack and meet any use of conventional or nuclear weapons with an overwhelming and effective response. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said during an earlier meeting with Pence that it is essential to step up pressure on North Korea. Pence said that US President Donald Trump is hopeful that China will use its “extraordinary leverage” to pressure Pyongyang to abandon its weapons.