US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has accused Russia of “cheating” on UN sanctions on North Korea and said Washington has “evidence of consistent and wide-ranging violations” by Moscow.
Haley told the UN Security Council on Monday that while “difficult, sensitive talks” between the US and North Korea are ongoing, it was the wrong time to start easing sanctions on Pyongyang.
“Russia must cease its violations of North Korea sanctions. It must end its concerted effort to cover up evidence of sanctions violations,” she said. “Its violations are not one-offs. They are systematic.”
China’s Ambassador to the UN Ma Zhaoxu said Beijing is implementing sanctions on North Korea and warned aout confronting Pyongyang. “Resorting to force will bring nothing but disastrous consequences,” Ma told the council.
He called for progress in negotiations between the US and North Korea and urged the Security Council to remain united on the issue.
Russia and China suggested the UN Security Council discuss easing sanctions after US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met in June and Kim pledged to work toward denuclearization.
The Security Council has unanimously sanctioned North Korea since 2006 in a bid to choke off funding for Pyongyang’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, banning exports including iron, coal, textiles, lead and seafood, as well as capping imports of crude oil and refined petroleum products.
Trump and Kim held a summit in Singapore on June 10 over the North’s denuclearization, the first ever face-to-face meeting between leaders of the two countries, which have remained enemies since the 1950-1953 Korean War.
The US seeks the complete and irreversible dismantling of North Korea’s nuclear program. Pyongyang is demanding a solid guarantee of its security and the removal of Washington’s nuclear umbrella protecting allies South Korea and Japan.
The North also seeks an end to the US military presence in the South, where Washington has around 28,000 troops.