Current:Home > MarketsWhite House says top Russian official pitched North Korea on increasing sale of munitions to Moscow -PureWealth Academy
White House says top Russian official pitched North Korea on increasing sale of munitions to Moscow
View
Date:2025-04-16 23:04:52
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House on Thursday said U.S. intelligence officials have determined that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu spoke last week to North Korean officials during a visit to Pyongyang about increasing the sale of munitions to Moscow for its war in Ukraine.
Shoigu made the pitch during his visit to North Korea for events marking the 70th anniversary of the armistice that halted fighting in the 1950-53 Korean War, according to White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby. Russian President Vladimir Putin dispatched Shoigu to lead the Russian delegation for the commemoration.
The Biden administration says Shoigu’s pitch to tighten cooperation with North Korea underscored that the Kremlin has become reliant on the country, as well as Iran, for the arms it needs to fight its war against Ukraine. North Korea and Iran are largely isolated on the international stage for their nuclear programs and human rights records.
“This is yet another example of how desperate Mr. Putin has become because his war machine is being affected by the sanctions and the export controls,” Kirby said. “He is going through a vast amount of inventory to try to subjugate Ukraine, and he’s reaching out to countries like North Korea, like Iran, and certainly he’s been trying to reach out to China to get support for his war machine.”
In March, the White House said it had gathered intelligence that showed that Russia was looking to broker a food-for-arms deal with North Korea, in which Moscow would provide the North with needed food and other commodities in return for munitions from Pyongyang,
Late last year, the White House said it had determined that the Wagner Group, a private Russian military company, had taken delivery of an arms shipment from North Korea to help bolster its forces fighting in Ukraine on behalf of Russia.
Both North Korea and Russia have previously denied the U.S. allegations about weapons. North Korea, however, has sided with Russia over the war in Ukraine, insisting that the “hegemonic policy” of the U.S.-led West has forced Moscow to take military action to protect its security interests.
The Biden administration says the Kremlin’s reliance on North Korea and Iran shows Russia’s desperation.
The White House says Iran has been a crucial supplier of attack drones for Russia as the war in Ukraine grinds on and Moscow has had to maneuver around sanctions that keep it from obtaining sophisticated parts to build and sustain its weapons supply.
The United States long has been concerned that China may provide weapons to Russia. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned earlier this year that U.S. intelligence showed Beijing was weighing it. But U.S. officials have said that, to date, they do not believe China has provided Moscow with weapons.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping promised Russian President Vladimir Putin a partnership with “no limits” when they met just weeks before Putin sent his troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.
The Biden administration has repeatedly released intelligence findings over the course of the war that aim to demonstrate Russia has limited options to help it resupply weapons.
veryGood! (98976)
Related
- How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
- Three Sisters And The Fight Against Alzheimer's Disease
- New 988 mental health crisis line sees jump in calls and texts during first month
- Judge Elizabeth Scherer allowed her emotions to overcome her judgment during Parkland school shooting trial, commission says
- Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
- Katy Perry Responds After Video of Her Searching for Her Seat at King Charles III's Coronation Goes Viral
- At Freedom House, these Black men saved lives. Paramedics are book topic
- Chris Christie announces 2024 presidential campaign by going after Trump
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- What happened on D-Day? A timeline of June 6, 1944
Ranking
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Score a $58 Deal on $109 Worth of Peter Thomas Roth Products and Treat Your Skin to Luxurious Hydration
- Busting 5 common myths about water and hydration
- One of Kenya's luckier farmers tells why so many farmers there are out of luck
- Bodycam footage shows high
- World Hunger Rises with Climate Shocks, Conflict and Economic Slumps
- Sea Level Rise Is Accelerating: 4 Inches Per Decade (or More) by 2100
- Cardi B and Offset's Kids Kulture and Wave Look So Grown Up in New Family Video
Recommendation
Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
High rents outpace federal disability payments, leaving many homeless
Judge temporarily blocks Florida ban on trans minor care, saying gender identity is real
Shannen Doherty says breast cancer spread to her brain, expresses fear and turmoil
Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
Bama Rush Documentary Trailer Showcases Sorority Culture Like Never Before
Hunger advocates want free school meals for all kids. It's tough sell in Congress
Hospitals have specialists on call for lots of diseases — but not addiction. Why not?