Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised this week's summit between North Korea and the U.S.<br /> Hosting North Korea's ceremonial head of state Kim Yong-nam in Moscow on Thursday,.... Putin said,.... the Singapore meeting was (quote) "without doubt just the first step towards a full-blown settlement," and that it helped "push back" the threat of conflict.<br />The Russian leader also said.... he welcomes the contact between the leaders of the Koreas,... and added it was always Russia's goal to resolve the issues surrounding the Korean Peninsula.<br />Putin also invited North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to Russia in September. <br />
