North Korea missile launch: Russia condemns Trump administration's 'aggressive rhetoric'

'In Russia we are deeply concerned about these provocative launches which are further stoking tensions'

Pedestrians walk under a large-scale monitor displaying North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on a TV news broadcast in Tokyo, Japan (EPA)

Russia has condemned North Korea's latest missile test over mainland Japan, but also criticised the administration of Donald Trump for its "aggressive" role in the crisis.

Russia's foreign ministry condemned North Korea's test as "illegal". But it added: "Regrettably, aggressive rhetoric is the only thing coming from Washington."

The Kremlin said on Friday that North Korea's latest missile test was part of a series of unacceptable provocations and that the United Nations Security Council was united in believing such launches should not be taking place.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov made the comments to reporters on a conference call after Pyongyang fired a missile that flew over Japan's northern Hokkaido far out into the Pacific Ocean on Friday, deepening tension after its recent test of its most powerful nuclear bomb.

"In Russia we are deeply concerned about these provocative launches which are further stoking tensions. Clearly demonstrating that our position is that such launches are unacceptable is the most tangible thing we can do right now," said Peskov.

"Judging by the United Nations' Security Council, that is a unanimous point of view which unites Security Council members."

Mr Peskov also said that President Vladimir Putin was expected to attend the Zapad-2017 military exercises on Monday and would observe the war games from a command centre near St Petersburg.

The war games have stirred unease in some countries because Russian troops and military hardware will be training inside Belarus, a Russian ally which borders Ukraine as well as Nato member states Poland, Latvia and Lithuania.

Mr Peskov said that Putin had held a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron earlier on Friday. He did not provide further details.

China's foreign ministry has condemned North Korea's latest missile launch and is calling for all sides to seek dialogue to reduce tensions.

Spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters Friday that the situation on the Korean Peninsula following Friday's longest-ever test flight of a ballistic missile remains "complex, sensitive and severe."

Hua urged all parties to avoid actions that might inflame the situation, while adding that China, North Korea's chief economic partner and diplomatic ally, did not hold the key to resolving the issue.

Hua said: "What is pressing now is that all sides should immediately halt their dangerous and provocative actions and words that escalate the tension."

China, one of five permanent veto-wielding members of the UN Security Council, agreed to the latest sanctions that cap fuel exports, ban textile sales and forbid countries from issuing new work permits to North Korean workers.

Additional reporting by agencies