White House claims DPRK planning to supply arms to Russia
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A New York Times report says the White House has expressed concern about the deepening military ties between Russia and the DPRK.
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The White House, January 24, 2021, in Washington. (AP)
The New York Times alleged on Monday that the leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) leader Kim Jong Un plans to travel to Russia this month to meet and discuss with President Vladimir Putin the supply of arms and weapons to assist Russia with its special military operation in Ukraine.
According to the report, Kim Jong Un's upcoming trip to Russia comes as Moscow and Pyongyang are discussing joint naval exercises and the White House has expressed concern about the deepening military ties between the two countries.
National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a written statement that talks between Russia and DPRK on arms supplies are progressing rapidly, adding that she has intel indicating that Kim "expects these discussions to continue, to include leader-level diplomatic engagement in Russia."
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She further alleged that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu recently visited the DPRK in an attempt to persuade Pyongyang to sell artillery ammunition to Russia.
"We urge [Pyongyang] to cease its arms negotiations with Russia and abide by the public commitments that Pyongyang has made to not provide or sell arms to Russia," Watson added.
The last time Kim traveled to Russia to meet Putin was in 2019 when he made a train journey to Vladivostok, Russia's Far East.
Multiple news outlets have previously reported that US officials believe that the two leaders are likely to meet again in Vladivostok, the port city that is hosting the Eastern Economic Forum from September 10 to 13.
Read more: DPRK launches multiple cruise missiles toward Yellow Sea: Seoul
