Amid soaring tensions between Washington and Pyongyang, the influence of Russia and China could determine whether war breaks out as North Korea continues to develop its nuclear and missile programmes.

Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, told reporters in Moscow: "Any attempt to resolve the problem over the Korean Peninsula by force will lead to a massive tragedy and enormous loss of life.

Tensions appear to be gradually winding down after North Korean media reported Kim Jong-un had decided to postpone plans to fire four missile toward the US territory of Guam.

GETTY

In response, US President Donald Trump took to Twitter to praise the despot leader.

He wrote: "Kim Jong Un of North Korea made a very wise and well reasoned decision. The alternative would have been both catastrophic and unacceptable!"

But Mr Trump is continuing to test Kim by staging joint military exercises with Japan.

The drill, which is part of a 19-day exercise, was conducted on the northern island of Hokkaido.

GETTY

Troops fired live ammunition from armed vehicles as part of the Northern Viper 2017 exercise, which involves 3,300 US and Japanese troops.

Kim Jong Un of North Korea made a very wise and well reasoned decision

US President Donald Trump

A defence ministry spokesman said: "It is the first joint exercise between the GSDF [Japan's Ground Self-Defence Force] and US Marines in Hokkaido.

But he denied any link between the drill and recent tensions with North Korea.

He said: "This is not conducted with a particular country or region in mind.

GETTY

Meanwhile, Japanese jets conducted air manoeuvres with US bombers southwest of the Korean peninsula on Wednesday.

The exercise in the East China Sea involved two US B-1B Lancer bombers flying from Andersen Air Force Base on the Pacific island of Guam and two Japanese F-15 jet fighters.

AFP/Getty Images

1 of 23

Soldiers from Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force take part in a field drill with US Marines during joint military exercises with in Eniwa, Hokkaido prefecture

GETTY

The US Air Force said in a statement: These training flights with Japan demonstrate the solidarity and resolve we share with our allies to preserve peace and security in the Indo-Asia-Pacific.

North Korea regards the US exercises with South Korea and Japan as preparations to invade it and has strongly condemned previous drills.

The exercises also frustrates China, which says they do nothing to ease regional tensions.

Read this article:

'We will reach point of NO RETURN' Russia pleads for North Korea calm amid WW3 fears - Express.co.uk