Russia’s top nuclear negotiator says there is no evidence to confirm that North Korea has a clandestine uranium enrichment program for military purposes.

Russia’s ITAR-Tass News Agency quoted Alexander Losyukov as telling reporters in Tokyo Monday that no one has been able to come up with concrete evidence supporting allegations of such a covert program.

Losyukov stressed that the North would be able to gain more trust and energy aid if it takes care of the speculation surrounding its uranium enrichment activities.

The Russian official also noted that the recent landmark deal struck with the North at the six-way nuclear talks does not signal a removal of the U.N. sanctions on Pyongyang.

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