Acting decisively against the Russia-North Korea Arms Deal and potential global arms exchanges that could escalate the Ukrainian conflict, the Biden administration announced sanctions Wednesday against three businesses. These firms are allegedly at the heart of a weapons trade scheme between North Korea and Russia.
These sanctions focus on entities associated with Ashot Mkrtychev, a Slovakian national previously sanctioned by the US this past March. Mkrtychev is believed to have orchestrated arms deals between Russia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
The Treasury Department’s findings indicate Mkrtychev collaborated with DPRK officials. Their agreement would allow Russia to secure over two dozen distinct weapon types from North Korea. On the flip side, North Korea would receive assets ranging from commercial aircraft to essential raw materials.
Additional allegations from the Treasury suggest Mkrtychev confirmed Russia’s agreement at high levels to procure military equipment from the DPRK. The businesses facing fresh sanctions linked to Mkrtychev are Limited Liability Company Verus, Defense Engineering Limited Liability Partnership, and Versor S.R.O. Notably, the Treasury identifies Versor as Mkrtychev’s primary channel for interactions between the DPRK and global firms.
With these sanctions, any assets these businesses hold within the US territory are frozen. Business dealings between US citizens and these entities are now strictly off-limits, with other stipulated penalties in place.
Brian E. Nelson, the Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, shed light on the matter by stating, “The United States is unwavering in its efforts to dismantle financial networks supporting North Korea’s contributions to Russia’s military campaigns.” He went on to emphasize America’s dedication, alongside global allies, to stem the arms trade fueling Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
Despite facing international critique, Russia and North Korea seem to be drawing closer. Both nations face intense global scrutiny—Russia for its Ukrainian endeavors, and North Korea for its nuclear pursuits and human rights transgressions.
Highlighting this deepening relationship, recent reports from North Korean media detail a letter exchange between leaders Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin. In this correspondence, Kim Jong Un voiced an intent to solidify their ties into a resilient strategic alliance.
At a time when geopolitics has become more complicated at the global level, the closer alliance between Russia and North Korea is likely to have an impact on international peace and balance, according to observers. Therefore, careful defense is required in this matter.
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