Russia continues to support North Korea in ways that benefit its nuclear and military programs

Washington (August 21, 2018) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the East Asia Subcommittee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement after the United States announced new sanctions on Russian shipping companies and vessels for transferring petroleum products to North Korean-flagged vessels in violation of UN Security Council Resolutions.

“The Treasury Department’s new sanctions on Russian shipping companies and ships found to be illegally transferring petroleum products to North Korea is a good step, but Moscow’s efforts to help the Kim regime require more extensive intervention,” said Senator Markey. “We need to enlist our allies and partners around the globe to fully enforce existing sanctions on North Korea, including those related to Russia’s reported hosting and employment of North Korean labor in ways that appear to violate UN Security Council Resolutions.”

“President Trump, along with the governments of Russia and China, gave the exact wrong signals after the Singapore Summit to countries around the world that it is perfectly acceptable to ease sanctions enforcement on North Korea. Kim Jong Un likely will only take steps to denuclearize if we squeeze his regime so that it cannot access the resources necessary to maintain or expand its military capabilities.  Only a combination of direct engagement, backed by pressure, can solve the North Korean threat to the United States, our allies, and the broader region.”

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