Russia is recommending that North Korea return to the six-party nuclear talks rather than seek an improvement in relations with the U.S.

A Russian diplomat familiar with North Korean affairs said on the condition of anonymity that although the North wants to normalize ties with the U.S., an improvement in their relationship cannot be achieved in the short term.

He called North Korea’s pursuit of a normalization of ties with Washington “unrealistic,” adding that such a development is not a prerequisite for the resumption of the six-way nuclear talks.