The Russian Ambassador to North Korea, Alexander Matsegora, criticized the United States for insisting on North Korea’s denuclearization, calling it an outdated goal in a recent media interview.
In an interview with Russian newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta on February 9, held in observance of “Diplomat’s Day,” Matsegora blamed the failure of past U.S.-North Korea negotiations on Washington, arguing that the U.S. had not reciprocated North Korea’s gestures of goodwill.
When asked about the possibility of renewed negotiations between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and former U.S. President Donald Trump, Matsegora responded, “If Pyongyang decides to resume dialogue, it would be welcomed.”
However, he added that “the current tensions on the Korean Peninsula are entirely due to the U.S. and its South Korean allies pursuing extended deterrence policies.”
He further stated, “Chairman Kim took genuine, unilateral steps, yet the U.S. failed to respond appropriately,” referencing North Korea’s dismantling of its nuclear test site in 2018, the repatriation of U.S. war remains, and its self-imposed moratorium on nuclear and missile tests.
Comparing the situation today to 2018, Matsegora argued that “the circumstances have fundamentally changed,” emphasizing that “the U.S. still prioritizes North Korea’s denuclearization, but this approach is now completely outdated.”
His remarks stand in direct contrast to recent U.S. statements reaffirming the goal of “Complete, Verifiable, and Irreversible Denuclearization (CVID).” The trump administration has maintained this stance, and during a recent U.S.-Japan summit, both nations reiterated their commitment to pursuing full denuclearization.
Commenting on Matsegora’s statements, Russian expert Fyodor Tertitsky (also known as Lee Hwi-seong) told Radio Free Asia (RFA) on February 10 that the ambassador’s remarks suggest that “Russia has no intention of working toward North Korea’s denuclearization at this stage.”
Historically, Russia participated in the Six-Party Talks aimed at curbing North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and supported international sanctions against Pyongyang. However, following the outbreak of the Ukraine war, Russia has strengthened its ties with North Korea, effectively shifting its stance toward backing Pyongyang.
BY YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]
