Russian President Vladimir Putin has stressed the need for diplomacy and a return to six-party talks in the wake of the missile tests by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

During an Internet conference on Thursday, Putin said Russia was concerned and disappointed about the DPRK's missile tests, but he stressed that the tests "should not lead to such emotions that would drown out common sense."

"We have to review the issue in all its entirety. We should be aiming to resuming the negotiation process with North Korea. ... We have to create an atmosphere that will lead to compromise," the Russian president said.

Also on Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned against threatening the DPRK with sanctions after its missile tests on Wednesday.

"The (UN) Security Council must evaluate the situation firmly, but without hysterics. Russia is working on that basis. We expect the Security Council to decide likewise," Lavrov told reporters.

A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry on Thursday confirmed that his country had test-fired missiles, saying they were part of routine military exercises aimed at increasing the nation's self-defense capabilities.

Source: Xinhua