A source in Moscow says Russia has proposed holding a three-way meeting among the foreign ministers of Russia and the two Koreas.

The source said that the proposal was made by Russia's Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, when he met North Korean leader Kim Jong-il in Pyongyang Monday. The source said details of such a three-nation meeting, including the exact time frame and venue, will be disclosed after Lavrov returns home.

Before departing Pyongyang to head home on Monday, Lavrov told reporters that he believes his recent visits to the two Koreas will contribute to making headway in the six-way talks aimed at settling the North's nuclear issue. Russia's Interfax News Agency quoted Lavrov as saying that the next round of six-nation talks could result in "quite concrete agreements."

Lavrov denied media reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin might host the leaders of the two Koreas in a three-way meeting when President Roh Moo-hyun visits Russia later this year, saying that no such plans are in the works.