Moscow: As part of international efforts to negotiate a diplomatic solution to the North Korean nuclear crisis, Russian President Vladimir Putin is sending a special envoy to Pyongyang, Beijing and Washington.

Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov will travel shortly to China, North Korea and the US to help mediate North Korea's nuclear standoff with the United States, 'RIA Novosti' reported quoting Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov.

"In the last few days certain hopeful steps and statements have emerged which I would say look to return the situation to what it was before the current crisis," Ivanov was quoted as saying by the agency.

He wouldn't give exact dates for Losyukov's tour or elaborate on his mission.

Ivanov said the mission was encouraged by an international consensus that the crisis had to be resolved peacefully.

"It had emerged from contacts that we have with many countries that the general opinion is that we should find a political and diplomatic solution to the situation around North Korea. This is of fundamental importance," he told reporters.

PTI