Western countries have issued warnings in response to a rare encounter between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin because they believe a weapons deal may be on the horizon.
As a result of Russia’s extensive stockpiles being depleted by more than 18 months of fighting in Ukraine, the United States and the United Kingdom have expressed fear that Kim could give Russia fresh weapons and ammunition. Such objectives have been refuted by Moscow and Pyongyang.
On Wednesday, the US Department of State declared that the administration of US President Joe Biden “won’t hesitate” to impose additional sanctions on Russia and North Korea if they reach any new arms agreements.
In response to inquiries about the meeting between Putin and Kim in Russia, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller offered the warning at a briefing.
It was troubling that Russia and North Korea were discussing increased cooperation that could violate UN Security Council resolutions, he said
“When you see what looks to be increased cooperation and probably military transfers, that is quite troubling and would potentially be in violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions,” Miller said.
James O’Brien, head of the Office of Sanctions Coordination, told The Associated Press news agency such a deal would trigger a US attempt to identify the individuals involved and the financial mechanisms they used to “at least limit their ability to be effective”.
“Russia is scraping the bottom of the barrel looking for help because it’s having trouble sustaining its military,” he said. “Russia is now overtly engaging with a country that the UN has sanctioned. And that’s very problematic for Russia’s global position.”
Putin gave Kim a tour of Russia’s Vostochny Cosmodrome during their lengthy meeting, which lasted more than four hours. They also talked about the potential of sending a North Korean astronaut into space.
Al Jazeera