According to the US government, Russia is still trying to procure weapons and ammunition from North Korea. “We have new information that Russia is actively trying to acquire additional ammunition from North Korea,” said US National Security Council communications director John Kirby. At the center of these efforts is an arms dealer by the name of Ashot Mkrtychev. Through him, Russia is trying to mediate a secret arms deal with North Korea. This would allow Russia to obtain more than two dozen types of weapons and ammunition from North Korea. In return, Russia offers North Korea food.
According to Kirby, such an agreement violates a number of UN Security Council resolutions. The US government has taken note of recent statements by North Korea that the country does not want to sell or supply arms to Russia. “We will continue to monitor this matter closely.”