Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday discussed North Korea's nuclear programme with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, stressing the need to start a negotiations process.

"The sides were united in the opinion that nuclear missile projects in North Korea violate the demands of the UN Security Council," the Russian foreign ministry said after the two men spoke by telephone.

"It was underlined that it is necessary to move from the language of sanctions to the negotiating process as soon as possible."

Source:AFP