Russia says $25 million in North Korean funds frozen by the United States have been transferred to a private Russian bank. RFE/RL's Russian Service reports that the Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed the transfer in a statement today.

Russia's foreign minister said Wednesday Washington had assured Moscow that it would assume all financial risks in transferring North Korea's $25 million unfrozen from a Macao bank.

South Korea's foreign minister said Tuesday North Korea's $25 million unfrozen from a Macao bank had been transferred home after a lengthy delay, clearing the way for Pyongyang to close a nuclear reactor.

North Korea's news agency has warned the United States that it might bolster its so-called "self-defense" program, just as a key condition for nuclear disarmament appears to be nearly met.

The final transfer of North Korea's previously-frozen $25 million from a Macao bank has been held up by technical problems, the U.S. envoy at six-party nuclear talks said Saturday.

There is still no final decision on whether to put North Korean funds, which had been frozen in a Macau bank account, back in Pyongyang's hands, according to the ITAR-Tass news agency.

An official in Chinese-controlled Macau says North Korean funds that have been the subject of a dispute with the United States have been transferred according to North Korea's instructions.

Russia is preparing to help North Korea transfer its previously-frozen $25 million from a Macao bank, to encourage the Communist state to honor its nuclear commitments, a Finance Ministry source said Wednesday.