CNN –
Russia and North Korea are “actively advancing” their negotiations over a possible arms deal that would provide large-scale munitions for various types of weapons systems, including artillery. This is the latest sign that the Kremlin is desperate for more material for its failed invasion of Ukraine, according to newly released US intelligence.
News of the possible deal comes despite North Korea’s public claims to the contrary.
The Biden administration said on Wednesday it remained concerned that the two pariah states were in the midst of arms negotiations and that, following Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu’s trip to North Korea last month, a second delegation of Russian officials was visiting Pyongyang for further talks visited a possible deal.
In addition to the second delegation, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un exchanged letters pledging to “strengthen their bilateral cooperation,” according to John Kirby, strategic communications coordinator for the National Security Council.
“We remain concerned that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea continues to consider providing military support to Russian forces in Ukraine, and we have new information to share today that arms negotiations between Russia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea actively moving forward,” Kirby said. “Following these negotiations, high-level discussion could continue in the coming months.”
The release of the new intelligence is the latest example of how the Biden administration wants to continue to publicize Russia’s efforts to avoid Western sanctions and obtain weapons for its war, and to alert North Korea that the U.S. is closely monitoring those efforts . It is also the most detailed evidence presented in recent months of Russia’s outreach to North Korea to advance its invasion of Ukraine.
“Under these potential deals, Russia would receive significant quantities and multiple types of ammunition from the DPRK that the Russian military plans to use in Ukraine. “These potential deals could also include the provision of raw materials that would support Russia’s defense industrial base,” Kirby said, pledging that the U.S. would take direct action to sanction any companies involved in a potential deal and calling on Pyongyang to do so stop negotiations.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned a sanctions evasion network designed to facilitate arms deals between Russia and North Korea.
Kirby also said that Russia’s attempts to procure weapons from countries such as Iran and North Korea were a clear signal of Moscow’s distress.
“You can honestly only look at this with desperation and weakness,” Kirby said.
Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US ambassador to the United Nations, also accused Russia and North Korea of negotiating an arms deal during a Security Council monitoring session on Wednesday.
Greenfield called it “shameful” and a violation of Security Council resolutions approved by Russia.
Late last year, Pyongyang supplied infantry rockets and missiles to the Russian mercenary group Wagner for its troops in Ukraine, and Western officials said Iran had supplied Russia with weapons for use in Ukraine. Iran and North Korea have both denied these claims.