Vladimir Putin warned that the North Korean crisis could cause a "planetary catastrophe". He said war would cause a huge loss of life. He told reporters that talking was the only answer. He warned the USA and North Korea that military action was very dangerous. Mr Putin said North Korea would never stop its nuclear programme. He said: "They will eat grass instead of stopping their nuclear programme, as long as they do not feel safe."
Tensions in Korea are at dangerous levels because North Korea carried out its biggest ever nuclear test. The UN told North Korea to stop its testing. Many countries want strong sanctions against North Korea. Mr Putin said sanctions would never work and they would be useless. A US ambassador said North Korea was "begging for war". She said: "War is never something the US wants. We don't want it now. But our…patience is not unlimited. We will defend our allies."