Sputnik News- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov believes that the US approach to pressing nuclear issues, such as Iran nuclear deal and North Korea's nukes, only worsen the existing problems in the world.

The US position on the nuclear deal with Iran — the country's actual withdrawal from the agreement — and threats of a military solution in the situation with North Korea cause great concern, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Monday.

"The loss of mutual trust causes deep concern… Unfortunately, these negative trends have only been exacerbated by the US decision to actually withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the Iranian nuclear program and as a result of Washington's threats to solve the Korean Peninsula's problem by military means," Lavrov said.

"Two years ago, an agreement was reached on the Iranian nuclear program, and it was approved by the UN Security Council, the whole world welcomed it. Now Washington is withdrawing from it, this is again the problem of negotiability as a foreign policy value," Lavrov said.

He added that the US decision on Iran showed their unreliability and, thus, there is no reason for North Korea to negotiate with them.

At the same time, Russian foreign minister called the Pyongyang's behavior provocative, as the country violates UN Security Council resolutions.
"I am not justifying Pyongyang. Pyongyang is acting provocatively, blatantly violating the UN Security Council resolutions," Lavrov said.


A representative of the North Korean delegation on the sidelines of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly denied any plans to meet with the South Korean counterpart.

The joint week-long navy drills of the US and South Korean fleets have kicked off today. About 40 vessels, including the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, are taking part in maneuvers in the waters around the Korean Peninsula.

The exercises come against the backdrop of escalating pressure on the Korean peninsula over Pyongyang's missile and nuclear tests.

He also underlined that Moscow was ready for fair interaction with the United States, NATO and the European Union.
"Despite the Russophobic sentiments of a certain part of the elites in the West, we are always open to fair interaction with the United States, the European Union, and NATO," Lavrov said, speaking at the World Festival of Youth and Students in Sochi.


The XIX World Youth and Students Festival is underway in Sochi. The festival is being held on October 14-22. The major events will be held in Russia's resort city of Sochi and will gather approximately 20,000 people from over 180 countries. The closing ceremony will also take place at the Bolshoy Ice Dome in Sochi.

The Iraqi army has taken control of the Laylan town south of Kirkuk, the capital of the region contested by Baghdad and the breakaway region of Iraqi Kurdistan, the army's command said Monday.

Earlier in the day, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi ordered the country’s army and police to secure bases and federal installations in Kirkuk, but avoid confrontations with the Kurdish forces and protect civilians in the region.

"The joint forces have secured the Laylan suburb, the Baba Gurgur oil field and the North Oil Company," the army statement read.

Catalonia's Independence Bid

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also touched upon the Catalonia's independence issue, calling it a Spain's internal affair.
"We see this as an internal affair of Spain, the Spanish state. We hear calls for dialogue, we hear statements about readiness for dialogue, including from Barcelona. I think that this is the only way to consider the situation that has formed as a result of the referendum," Lavrov said.


On October 1, the Spanish autonomous community of Catalonia held a referendum on independence, which the Spanish authorities do not recognize. According to the Catalan government, 90.18 percent of those who participated in the referendum voted for independence, while the voter turnout constituted some 43 percent. On Wednesday, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy demanded the region's authorities to clarify whether or not they had declared independence. Madrid gave the Catalan leader five days to do so.