Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres (Photo: embrussia.ru)

Their meeting took place on the sidelines of the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.  They also touched upon increasing the role of the United Nations and the UN Security Council in resolving arises.

The same day, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told the UN Security Council that if North Korea strays from the path of diplomacy and denuclearisation it will inevitably lead to ever increasing isolation and pressure. He said enforcement of Security Council sanctions must continue vigorously and without fail until full, final, verified denuclearization are achieved, adding that Council members must set an example.

Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that the EU does not support the use of sanctions and tariffs as a political tool. Wang said China is ready to work with Germany on developing and reforming the WTO and protecting basic WTO values, and principles of international trade and the legal interests of developing states.