The U.S. Claims Russia is 'Secretly' Selling Oil to North Korea Beyond UN Limits

On Thursday, the White House announced that Russia is secretly selling refined oil to North Korea, exceeding the limits set by the United Nations Security Council; an action that will provoke a U.S. response and a new round of sanctions. This announcement came on the first day after the mission of the 'UN Experts Panel' was halted due to Russia's veto. This panel was responsible for monitoring the implementation of long-term UN sanctions against North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. John Kirby, the spokesperson for the National Security Council at the White House, stated in a briefing to reporters: 'When Moscow vetoed the extension of this panel's mission, it simultaneously transported refined oil shipments from the Vostochny port to North Korea.' According to Kirby, Russia sent more than 165,000 barrels of refined oil to North Korea just in March, and given the proximity of Russian and North Korean trade ports, Moscow can continue to send such shipments indefinitely. Under UN Security Council sanctions, North Korea cannot import more than 500,000 barrels of refined oil products per year. Kirby further noted that the United States will continue to impose sanctions on individuals and entities that facilitate the transfer of weapons and refined oil between Russia and North Korea. Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, stated that Washington and its allies plan to impose new sanctions against Russia in a coordinated action this month. Since the military invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Moscow has increased its relations with Pyongyang. The United States has accused North Korea of providing artillery and long-range missiles for use against Ukraine to Russia.