The White House said Thursday it has new evidence that Russia is again looking to North Korea for weapons for the war in Ukraine, this time in a deal that would provide Pyongyang with food and other needed goods in exchange.
It is the latest allegation that Russia, desperate for weapons and constrained by sanctions and export controls, is turning to “rogue” nations for help in continuing the 13-month war.
“As part of the proposed deal, Russia would receive more than two dozen types of weapons and ammunition from Pyongyang,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said. “We also understand that Russia is looking to send a delegation to North Korea and that Russia is offering North Korea food in exchange for ammunition.”
Earlier, the US government has declassified intelligence to present evidence that Iran sold hundreds of attack drones to Russia over the summer and that the Wagner Group, a private Russian military company, received weapons from Pyongyang to bolster its elements, who They fight alongside Russian troops in the Ukraine.
Experts believe North Korea’s food situation is the worst it has been under Kim Jong Un’s 11-year rule, but still say they see no signs of imminent famine or mass deaths. Kim has vowed to strengthen state control over agriculture and take other steps to increase grain production, North Korean state media reported earlier this month.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last month that US intelligence suggested China was considering providing arms and ammunition to Russia, though White House officials have said they have yet seen no evidence that Beijing is going ahead. with the delivery of arms.