U.S. President Barack Obama says a North Korean ship suspected of carrying illicit weapons turned back to its home port thanks to international efforts to implement new U.N. sanctions against Pyongyang.

Obama, who is visiting Russia, said in an interview with ABC Tuesday that the decision the North’s Kang Nam vessel made to turn back is a positive step forward in the fight against proliferation.

Obama said a very strong unanimity was formed around strong sanctions against the North which he thinks that even two or three years ago might not have been imposed by either Russia or China.

Meanwhile, in an interview with CBS, Obama said he doesn't think a war "is imminent" with North Korea.

He added that he thinks the North understands it would be overwhelmed in a serious military conflict with the United States.