The United States and its international allies have issued a statement condemning the alleged transfer of ballistic missiles from North Korea to Russia.
In the statement signed by U.S. State Secretary Antony Blinken, European Union High Representative Josep Borrell and the foreign ministers of 47 countries, the coalition declared that the reported North Korea-Russia arms deal violated United Nations sanctions.
According to the Department of State, the missiles delivered to Russia were used during the attacks on Ukraine on Dec. 30 and Jan. 2.
“The transfer of these weapons increases the suffering of the Ukrainian people, supports Russia’s war of aggression and undermines the global nonproliferation regime,” the joint statement reads.
The signatories noted that a North Korea-Russia collaboration could disrupt global and regional security, particularly in the Korean Peninsula, the Indo-Pacific region and in Europe.
In an earlier news briefing, John Kirby, spokesman for the National Security Council, confirmed that the Russian military used North Korean missiles in strikes against Ukrainian cities. The United States and its allies will raise the issue with the UN Security Council on Wednesday, he added.
Kirby reiterated that the weapons supply between Pyongyang and Moscow breached several UNSC resolutions imposed in response to North Korea’s nuclear weapons program.
