US imposes new sanctions related to Russia, North Korea.

On 19 September the United States imposed sanctions on a network of five groups and one person, based in Russia and the Georgian region of South Ossetia, for enabling payments between Russia and North Korea, the US Treasury Department said.

This development exposes Russia’s efforts to circumvent international sanctions and North Korea’s continued pursuit of weapons programs. The sanctions underscore the complex geopolitical challenges facing the US and its allies, as they work to contain both Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.

As reported by Reuters, the measures show US commitment to disrupting networks “that facilitate the funding of the D​PRK’s unlawful weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missile programs and support Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine,” it said.

“Today’s action holds accountable parties that have assisted the D​PRK (Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea) and Russian sanctions evasion,” US Treasury said in a statement.

Russia has become increasingly dependent on North Korea for weapons procurement and economic ties, the department said.

The new sanctions expose how Russian President Vladimir Putin’s government uses illegal financial schemes to help North Korea access the international banking system, in violation of UN Security Council sanctions, US Treasury said.

The US action comes days after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met top Russian security official Sergei Shoigu and discussed deepening strategic dialogue between the two countries, according to a state media KCNA report on 14 September.

The United States and Ukraine, as well as independent analysts, say Kim is helping Russia by supplying rockets and missiles in return for economic and other military assistance from Moscow.

Related:

• European Parliament urges member states to allow Ukraine to hit military targets in Russia
• ISW: Russia aims for victory over Ukraine by 2026 amid growing economic challenges
• The NYT: North Korea defies Western sanctions, continues supplying Russia with short-range ballistic missiles
• Russia modernizing T-62M tanks with North Korean spare parts for use against Ukraine
• North Korea’s arms shipments to Russia surge, intelligence report reveals
• ISW: Russia continues deepening relations with North Korea and Iran in exchange for lethal weaponry

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