Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko aims to mediate relations between the U.S. and North Korea and dissuade Washington from escalating tensions with Pyongyang, Minsk’s top diplomat said following Lukashenko’s talks with Kim Jong Un.

While primarily focused on bilateral ties, last week’s summit in Pyongyang also covered the two countries’ relationship with the U.S. and Russia, Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov told Belarusian state television on Thursday.

“The president is making strong efforts to lower the level of tension, understanding that sooner or later, if no one works in this direction, trouble could reach any country,” Ryzhenkov added.

Lukashenko apparently briefed Kim