Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during their meeting at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Amur region on Sept. 13, 2023.
Russia's move to effectively disband the panel of experts monitoring longstanding United Nations sanctions against North Korea points to a "grim future" for the sanctions enforcement, three former members of the panel told Reuters.
Russia vetoed the annual renewal of the multinational panel of experts on Thursday, which has spent the last 15 years monitoring U.N. sanctions against North Korea over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.
Beijing and Moscow have denied breaking sanctions but have blocked new measures at the UN Security Council and advocated lifting some existing sanctions on North Korea, blaming the West and its allies for exacerbating tensions.
"Russia's vote, along with its blatant violation of sanctions by buying conventional arms from North Korea, years long history of ignoring their obligations, and at least tacit support from China suggest that the future is grim for the DPRK sanctions regime," he said, using the initials of North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Persons:
Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, Russia's, Aaron Arnold
Organizations:
North, Vostochny, United Nations, Reuters, UN Security Council, West, Diplomats, Korean, Britain's Royal United Services Institute, Democratic People's
Locations:
Amur, North Korea, Russia, China, North, Beijing, Moscow, Pyongyang, Ukraine, DPRK, Democratic People's Republic of Korea