State Department And Nearly 50 Other Nations Say Russia Must 'Cease' Accepting Weapons From North Korea

Topline The United States and nearly 50 other countries released a joint statement on Tuesday condemning the relationship between North Korea and Russia after Russia launched North Korean ballistic missiles at Ukraine at least twice in recent weeks. A statement signed by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and officials from 47 other countries ...

[+] expressed concern about the “security implications” the arms deal between Russia and North Korea has around the world. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / POOL / AFP) Key Facts The statement —issued by the State Department—called on Russia and North Korea to “immediately cease all activities that violate” the three United Nations Security Council resolutions it said the countries are violating through their arms transfers, one of which explicitly bans the transfer of arms with North Korea.

Ministers of foreign affairs from 47 countries—including France, Israel, Germany and Spain—and the High Representative of the European Union signed the statement, alongside Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The countries condemned the transfer of ballistic missiles “in the strongest possible terms,” writing that Russia’s procurement of them increases suffering in Ukraine and “supports Russia’s war of aggression.” Key Background Russia is nearing the start of the third year of its war with Ukraine, and as it runs low on weaponry the White House has warned it must turn to “like minded states for military equipment.” The U.S.

announced last week that some ballistic missiles Russia had fired at Ukraine on Dec. 30, 2023, and Jan. 2, 2024, were supplied by North Korea, which the White House said indicated growing support from North Korea for Russia and was a violation of a U.N. embargo. Russian forces launched more North Korean missiles into Ukraine on Jan.

6, and National Security spokesperson John Kirby said Tuesday they are still assessing the damage from those attacks. Crucial Quote “We are deeply concerned about the security implications that this cooperation has in Europe, on the Korean Peninsula, across the Indo Pacific region, and around the world,” read the statement.

What To Watch For Kirby said at a White House press briefing Tuesday that the U.S. will raise the arms deals between Russia and North Korea at the United Nations Security Council and “demand that Russia be held accountable for yet again violating international obligations that it signed up to.” Further Reading.