Encouraging Kim Jong-un by providing rocket hardware can create more than a convenient diversion. It will embolden him to the point where he can destabilize the Far East. It will trigger serious arms race in the region, with S. Korea and Japan starting to acquire their own strategic weapons. The prospect of two countries armed with long-range missiles and nukes is not what I think Russia wants.
True, but Putin is in favor of issues that can stir up problems for Western countries, what will happen in the long run is not what he is thinking about.
This is what Russia is saying: Moscow, Feb. 7 (Petra) -- Russia today condemned North Korea's launch of a long-range rocket, warning that the move would destabilize the region, including North Korea itself. "It is obvious that such actions would lead to a serious aggravation of the situation on the Korean peninsula and Northeast Asia on the whole, and inflict serious damage to the security of the countries of the region, first and foremost North Korea itself," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.
http://www.petra.gov.jo/Public_News/Nws_NewsDetails.aspx?Site_Id=1&lang=2&NewsID=236692
But, if that is what they mean, why do they supply NK with equipment that will make it easier to produce missiles and nuclear devices?