China, Russia Urge Restraint After North Korea Nuclear Test

Following North Korea’s successful testing of a hydrogen bomb Saturday night, Russia and China, both present at the 9th BRICS Summit, have agreed to ''appropriately deal'' with the nuclear test together.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have both cut a deal to stick to the goal of ‘denuclearization’ on the Korean Peninsula.

Still, both leaders expressed “deep concern over this situation”, pressed the Russian president's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, adding that both think it is important “for all sides to show restraint and focus on seeking resolution solely in a political and diplomatic way.”

North Korea, or the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) as it is called, was successful in testing a hydrogen bomb that can be mounted on an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). It was a “meaningful” step to complete the country’s nuclear weapons program, the country’s state television reported.

The test follows military exercises conducted by the United States and South Korea on the peninsula, as well as President Donald Trump's continuous threats against the DPRK.

Following Saturday night’s test, Trump responded to a question about attacking North Korea with “We’ll see.”

In a number of tweets Sunday, he suggested South Korea back off from any talks, saying “talk of appeasement … will not work.”

He called the DPRK a “rogue nation” before adding that he will meet with his national security team in order to prepare new sanctions against the socialist country.

While the United States has 6,800 nuclear warheads, the DPRK has a handful according to experts. The United States is also the only country who has ever dropped nuclear bombs, on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan.

Putin, in wake of the test, also stressed that policies of sanctions imposed on the DPRK have so far “not led to any positive outcomes,” saying that the “situation leaves much to be desired.”

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The DPRK has carried out its nuclear and missile programs in defiance of United Nations Security Council resolutions and sanctions, with Pyongyang repeatedly said they will do what it takes to defend itself against United States aggression.

North Korea is still officially at war with the United States and South Korea, after the U.S.-led on the Korean peninsula ended in a 1953 armistice. U.S. troops continue to be stationed on the border between the divided north and south.

At the BRICS Summit, where both Russia and China are present, Xi has urged the group to promote trade liberalization and an open world economy.

The United Nations Security Council also called for a meeting Monday on North Korea’s nuclear test at the request of the United States, Japan, Britain, France and South Korea, the U.S. mission to the United Nations said in a statement on Sunday.