Foreign politicians also come to Russia for the FIFA World Cup because it's also a perfect opportunity for negotiations. Before the World Cup opening, Vladimir Putin met with the head of the North Korean parliament, Kim Young-nam. Putin also confirmed that he has invited the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, to attend the Eastern Economic Forum in September or to visit Russia as part of a separate large-scale visit. The president has also commented on the dialogue between Pyongyang and Seoul.
Vladimir Putin: "We definitely appreciate the communication which has begun between the leaders of North and South Korea. We also welcome and highly appreciate the results of the meeting between the leader of North Korea and the US president, Mr. Trump. We presume that this is only the first step towards a full-fledged settlement. This step was made due to the goodwill of the two leaders. And of course, it's a requirement for further progress. It also reduces the overall tension on the Korean peninsula. The whole world was worried, because the tensions could lead to drastic consequences, even a large-scale military conflict. Thanks to this meeting, this unfavorable scenario has been put away and the prospect of settlement through political and diplomatic means has appeared instead. Russia has always supported this and has taken the necessary steps. We're ready to continue working in this direction. To embark on the necessary steps together with you, in order to forge relationships, including the ones in the sphere of economic cooperation".
