Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says he respects and supports U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to cancel a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. 

Japan’s Kyodo News reported on Friday that Abe made the remark during his visit to Russia while also expressing regret for the breakdown of the planned meeting.

Kyodo quoted Abe as saying that wants to talk with Trump by phone at the earliest date once he returns to Japan from Russia on Sunday. 

Abe said he backs Trump’s judgment that it is an “inappropriate” time to hold the summit, noting it should be held when the North can make practical progress on addressing the abduction of Japanese nationals in the 1970s and 80s and its nuclear and missile issues.

[Photo : KBS News]