– Russia said on Friday that major powers needed a new approach to North Korea, accusing the United States and its allies of ratcheting up military tensions in Asia and seeking to “strangle” the reclusive state.
Russia exercised its veto power, striking a blow against the annual renewal of a panel of experts monitoring UN sanctions against North Korea. The move, seen as a major turning point, underscores Moscow’s solidarity with Pyongyang amid the Ukraine war.
“It is obvious to us that the UN Security Council can no longer use old templates in relation to the problems of the Korean Peninsula,” said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
Zakharova accused the US of stoking military tensions and emphasized the severe humanitarian consequences of international restrictions on North Korea.
“The United States and its allies have clearly demonstrated that their interest does not extend beyond the task of ‘strangling’ the DPRK by all available means, and a peaceful settlement is not on the agenda at all,” she said.
Russia criticized the objectivity and impartiality of the UN experts, claiming they had become tools of the West.
“The Group of Experts of the UN Security Council Committee 1718 has lost all standards of objectivity and impartiality, which should be integral characteristics of its mandate,” Zakharova stated.
The veto reflects the deepening crisis in Russia’s relations with the West, particularly since the Ukraine conflict erupted. Moscow’s renewed ties with Pyongyang further exacerbate tensions.
“Since Putin ordered the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Moscow has gone out of its way to parade a renaissance of its relationship – including military ties – with Pyongyang,” the article noted.
Despite Washington’s accusations of North Korea supplying missiles to Russia for use against Ukraine, Moscow continues to bolster its alliance with Pyongyang.
“For Putin, who says Russia is locked in an existential battle with the West over Ukraine, courting Kim allows him to needle Washington and its Asian allies while securing a deep supply of artillery for the Ukraine war,” the article explained.
Russia proposed a compromise for reviewing sanctions over specific time limits, but this was met with hostility by Washington.
“We call on the parties concerned to refrain from escalating steps and reconfigure themselves to find ways to detente, taking into account known security priorities,” Zakharova urged.
In conclusion, Russia’s veto signals a need for a shift in international strategy towards North Korea amidst the ongoing Ukraine war and escalating tensions between major powers.
