Putin's popularity ratings remain high

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said North Korea should not be driven into a corner if the world wants to rein in its nuclear weapons programme.

"You must never push one of the participants in talks into a corner", Mr Putin said in a live TV phone-in with Russians nationwide.

He said some negotiators "failed to find the right tone" with North Korea.

Mr Putin said a solution could be found "with goodwill". North Korea said on 9 October it had tested a nuclear weapon.

Mr Putin's phone-in is being broadcast on national television networks and major radio stations.

People can take part by telephone or e-mail, and residents in nine selected towns are putting their questions direct to Mr Putin.

More than a million questions have been submitted to the organisers' website, many about worries over wages, pensions and rising housing costs.

One of the towns chosen to take part directly is Kondopoga close to the border with Finland, where in August violent race riots erupted and businesses owned by migrants were attacked.

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