U.S. acting like a ‘naughty, spoiled child’ over North Korea: Russian minister

The United States is shifting responsibility for the North Korean nuclear crisis to other countries rather than taking concrete steps to tackle the issue itself, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has told Russian news outlet Sputnik.

“Washington tends to make others responsible for the things which should actually be done on its own,” Ryabkov said according to Sputnik News.

“It can be compared to a naughty, spoiled child who falls on the floor and bursts out crying and kicking, when he or she failed to do something or when some toy was not given immediately after the child asked to buy it.”

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Ryabkov’s comments came despite the United Nations Security Council, which includes Russia, unanimously adopting a resolution to impose new sanctions on Pyongyang over its recent spate of missile tests.

Russia had also previously put forward a proposal, along with China, calling for North Korea to refrain from conducting any more nuclear and missile tests, in exchange for the U.S. and South Korea ceasing large-scale military exercises in the region.

READ MORE: China, Russia offer plan to ease tensions as North Korea fires ballistic missile

Ryabkov also addressed the growing diplomatic feud between his country and the United States. On July 31, Russia announced that it was going to expel 755 American diplomatic staff; former U.S. President Barack Obama previously ordered the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats in December.

Ryabkov said that if the U.S. continues the diplomatic tit-for-tat by expelling more Russian diplomats, Russia would respond in kind, Russian state-controlled news agency RIA reported.

— With files from The Associated Press

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