Russia's Position in North Korean Negotiations

Russia on Dec. 13 issued a third condemnation of North Korea over the Nov. 23 attack on Yeonpyeong Island. This condemnation comes in stark contrast to Moscow's response to the ChonAn incident, where it largely tried to shield Pyongyang from criticism, and could be an indication that Russia is weighing its economic relationship with South Korea more carefully this time. That said, Moscow has little interest in siding fully with Seoul, viewing North Korea as a useful tool against the United States.