Russia’s foreign ministry on Thursday called Washington’s decision to relist North Korea as a state sponsor of terror a public relations move which could result in “catastrophe.”

Speaking during a regular press briefing in Moscow, foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told reporters the move would likely escalate tensions in the region.

“If we talk about the significance of this step not for internal, but for external consumption, then it is more like another scaremongering act and PR move,” Zakharova said.

“These sorts of actions push the situation (around North Korea) to the extreme, this can end with a big catastrophe not only of