Russia and China have urged North Korea to “freeze” its missile and nuclear programmes after it claimed to have successfully tested its first intercontinental ballistic missile.

Both countries also called for a simultaneous suspension of US-South Korea large-scale military exercises.

Meanwhile, US officials reportedly said they believed North Korea’s claim.

But while Pyongyang appears to have made progress, experts believe the device cannot accurately hit a target.

Calling the launch “unacceptable”, Russia and China, which share a land border with North Korea, also urged the US to not deploy the Thaad missile system – which aims to intercept attacks from Pyongyang – in South Korea.

Chinese President Xi Jinping was in Moscow, where he held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.