World reacts to Trump-Kim Jong Un meeting

International leaders struck notes of praise and caution following Thursday's announcement that US President Donald Trump had agreed to an unprecedented meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Relations between both countries had fallen to new lows at the end of 2017 following a string of North Korean nuclear and ballistic missile tests.

Read more: South and North Korea agree to hold joint summit

South Korea: President Moon Jae-in said: "The May meeting will be recorded as a historic milestone that realized peace on the Korean Peninsula," adding: "If President Trump and Chairman Kim meet following an inter-Korean summit, complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula will be put on the right track in earnest."

Japan: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he welcomed the summit annoucement, but added: "Japan and the United States will not waver in its firm stance that they will continue to put maximum pressure until North Korea takes concrete action towards the complete, verifiable and irreversible end to nuclear missile development."

China: China's Foreign Ministry said: "We welcome this positive signal by the US and North Korea in having direct dialogue," adding: "We hope that all parties can demonstrate political courage and make the right political decisions." Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had earlier warned that discussions would "not be smooth sailing."

Read more: Japanese PM Shinzo Abe warns North Korea talks could be ploy

Russia: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the meeting was a "a step in the right direction" and that "we do hope that this meeting is going to take place."

European Union: Spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic told reporters: "We believe President Trump's readiness to accept Kim Jong Un's invitation to a summit meeting by May also represents a positive development,"

Britain: UK Prime Minister Theresa May greeted the announcement, but added: "We will continue to work closely with the US, South Korea and the international community to ensure that pressure on North Korea continues and sanctions are strictly enforced until Kim Jong Un matches his words with concrete actions."

Germany: German Chancellor Angela Merkel called the meeting "a glimmer of hope," adding: "More work has to be done, but it would of course be wonderful if we could experience a detente here because it was a great concern for us all, with the nuclearization of North Korea."

Read more: Is North Korea's red carpet a real sign of change or merely a ruse?

amp/rt (AFP, AP, Reuters)