Western countries condemned supply of weapons from North Korea to Russia
The United States and nearly 40 partner countries have condemned the supply of weapons from North Korea to Russia and its use by Moscow in the war against Ukraine, according to Reuters.
In a joint statement signed by the United States, Great Britain, the EU, Australia, Germany, Canada, and nearly 40 other partner countries, deep concern is expressed about the security consequences arising from the cooperation between North Korea and Russia in Europe, the Korean Peninsula, the Indo-Pacific region, and worldwide.
"We condemn in the strongest possible terms (North Korea's) export and Russia's procurement of (North Korea's) ballistic missiles, as well as Russia's use of these missiles against Ukraine on December 30, 2023, and January 2, 2024," the statement notes.
Last week, the White House stated that Russia had used North Korean short-range ballistic missiles to launch numerous attacks on Ukraine.
Military cooperation between North Korea and Russia
North Korea is an ally of Russia in the war against Ukraine, providing military assistance to the aggressor country.
As of late September, Western media reported that North Korea was supplying Russia with 152mm artillery shells and Katyusha type rockets.
According to U.S. intelligence, Russian ships have regularly visited the North Korean port of Rason since August. North Korea has sent around 2,000 containers of weapons to Russia.
John Kirby, the Coordinator of the White House National Security Council, stated that Russia acquired ballistic missiles from North Korea, which have already been used in strikes against Ukraine.
Soon after, media outlets reported that North Korea may have transferred several dozen ballistic missiles to Russia for use in attacks against Ukraine.