North Korea has reportedly said that it's willing to negotiate with the U.S. on its nuclear program as long as Russia plays a role in those talks.
 
A parliamentary delegation of Russia's lower house, which returned from a recent trip to North Korea, said the North expressed its intent for dialogue with the U.S. 
 
The Russian lawmakers said that when they expressed criticism of the North's recent Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile launch, North Korean officials said they were forced to demonstrate its capability in response to U.S. threats.
 
The officials also reportedly said that they would not have conducted the missile launch, if the U.S. had not worsened the situation and instead shown signs of dialogue.
 
The Russian lawmakers said that North Korea is currently ready to conduct negotiations with the U.S. with the participation of Russia as a third party.
 
During the five-day visit last week, the Russian delegation reportedly met with senior members of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party and the Supreme People's Assembly.