Reminding that any arms transfer between North Korea and Russia would violate many resolutions of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Miller emphasized that the US’s stance on this issue is clear.

The US State Department stated that they “will not hesitate” to take the necessary steps if North Korea agrees to supply weapons to Russia.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Matthew Miller answered journalists’ questions at a press conference. Reminding that any arms transfer between North Korea and Russia would violate many resolutions of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Miller emphasized that the US’s stance on this issue is clear.

Regarding North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s visit to Russia, Miller said, “We will follow what is happening and, if necessary, we will not hesitate to take action to hold these people responsible.”

Referring to the statements of Russian officials that they could discuss with Pyongyang the lifting of sanctions imposed on North Korea, Miller pointed out that Russia cannot unilaterally lift the UNSC sanctions.

“Kim-Putin meeting will probably be about arms deal”

In his statement, US Department of Defense (Pentagon) Spokesperson Brigadier General Patrick Ryder noted that the meeting between North Korean leader Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin “will probably be about an arms deal.”

Ryder said, “We know that a meeting will be held. As far as we understand, this meeting will focus on arms negotiations.”

Calling on North Korea to fulfill its commitments not to provide weapons to Russia, Ryder stated that this would “do nothing but prolong the unnecessary war” in Ukraine.

According to the statement made by the Kremlin, Russian President Putin met with North Korean leader Kim today at the Vostonchniy Cosmodrome in Russia’s Amur region.

Kim last visited Russia in 2019 and met with Putin in Vladivostok.