North Korea’s defense minister accused the U.S. of escalating military tensions in Europe and Northeast Asia in a speech to a Russian security conference on Tuesday, insisting that “physical force” is the only way to maintain peace.

In his remarks, Kang Sun Nam brushed off the possibility of diplomatic dialogue between Pyongyang and Washington, while seeking to draw parallels between alleged U.S. aggression toward the DPRK and Russia.

The defense chief also expressed “full support for the military forces and people of Russia who are waging an implacable struggle … to defend their sovereign rights and security interests,” reiterating North