FILE PHOTO - A North Korean flag flies on a mast at the Permanent Mission of North Korea in Geneva October 2, 2014. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia could host talks between the United States and North Korea if Moscow is asked to do so, the RIA news agency cited a Russian foreign ministry official as saying on Friday.

“We are open to contacts and ready to provide a venue (for talks) if necessary,” RIA quoted Russian ambassador-at-large Oleg Burmistrov as saying. “We are ready to take part in such meetings if we are invited.”