Russia has reportedly decided that North Korea would not be violating U.N. Security Council Resolution 1718 if it launches a satellite.

Radio Free Asia quoted a diplomatic source in Seoul and Washington saying that Russia has notified the United States of its position after making legal considerations.

Russia’s decision goes against South Korea, the U.S. and Japan’s position that a launch of either a satellite or missile would violate a U.N. Security Council resolution.

Earlier this month, Pyongyang announced it will put an experimental communication satellite into orbit sometime between April fourth and eighth. But South Korea, the United States and Japan suspect that North Korea's claim of a satellite launch is a cover for a long-range missile launch.