During their talks on Saturday, the two top diplomats gave special attention to "specific aspects in fulfilling U.N. Security Council Resolution 1718 in connection with the nuclear test conducted by the DPRK," the ministry said in a statement posted on its web site.

The two sides also touched on "the Iranian nuclear program, the Middle East peace process and the situation in Iraq and the Transcaucasia, especially in light of the latest U.N. Security Council resolution on Georgia," the statement said.

Moscow was the final leg of Rice's four-nation tour, which had taken her to Japan, South Korea and China over the past week. She flew to the Russian capital on Saturday and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Rice informed Putin about her trip to Seoul, Tokyo and Beijing. The president and the U.S. secretary of state exchanged views on the DPRK and issues related to nuclear non-proliferation, " the Kremlin said in a statement Saturday.

Last Saturday, the U.N. Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution imposing sanctions on the DPRK for its nuclear test conducted on Oct. 9.

The resolution welcomed and encouraged further efforts by all states concerned to intensify their diplomatic efforts, refrain from any actions that might aggravate tension, and to facilitate an early resumption of the six-party talks.