Russia optimistic of ending Korean and US nuclear standoff

A Russian envoy held six hours of talks yesterday with reclusive North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and said he was optimistic the nuclear standoff between Pyongyang and Washington could be solved peacefully.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov emerged from the talks at a heavily-guarded residence on the northern outskirts of Pyongyang to describe them as successful, but gave no details, said Russia’s Itar-Tass news agency.

“The meeting was very substantive. The atmosphere was very warm,” Losyukov said as he left to return to the Russian embassy.