In a bold move, sure to escalate tensions, the Russian government may be in talks with North Korea to purchase shells and rockets for its war in Ukraine.
Export of arms to Russia would be in violation of a United Nations resolution which bans North Korea from sending weapons to, or receiving weapons from, other countries.
The information comes from US intelligence, via the Pentagon press secretary, Brig. General Pat Ryder, who said on Tuesday that, “the information that we have is that Russia has specifically asked for ammunition.” He announced that it appears that Russia approached North Korea, not the other way around, and it is unconfirmed whether any sales have actually taken place.
He stressed that the information obtained demonstrates that Russia is desperate for help to sustain its efforts in Ukraine.
“We assess that things are not going well on that front for Russia,” was his conclusion.
A spokesman for the National Security Council, John Kirby, said that there is no proof that any deliveries have been made, but that there is evidence of discussions.
Kirby said that Russia is looking to buy “millions of rounds of ammunition.”
Although intelligence information is not usually open to public view, this information was declassified. When asked why, Ryder said it was to show that Russian was not doing well in Ukraine and was reaching out to countries like Iran and North Korea to help, having been sanctioned by many others.
Russia denied the claims, via its UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia. He called the intelligence finding fake, and said, “I can only laugh about it.”
According to officials in the Biden administration, Russia is having problems with the drones it purchased from Iran in August.
North Korea is siding with Russia and says Russia is justified in pursuing military action in Ukraine in its own defense. North Korea’s ambassador to Russia met with officials in Ukrainian separatist territories that are backed by Russia. They spoke about helping send workers to the areas.
Sending workers to occupied territories in Ukraine would also be a violation of a UN resolution.
North Korea is the only country, other than Russia itself and Syria, to recognize the separatist sections as independent of Ukraine.
It is reported that the Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim have been exchanging letters and have been seeking cooperation between their two countries. The two have had a good relationship since North Korea was established in 1948. In fact, Soviet government officials installed Kim Jong Un’s grandfather as the first ruler of North Korea, and Soviet aid sustained the North Korean economy for a long time. Russia has had formal diplomatic relations with North Korea in the post Soviet era.