US criticizes ‘two members’ who oppose UN sanctions on North Korea, suspected of being Russia and China

US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield – Photo: REUTERS

According to Reuters news agency, US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield mentioned “two council members” and argued that the Security Council’s restraint would encourage North Korea to “stop the escalation and come to the table instead.” judge”.

Thomas-Greenfield warned the Security Council “cannot be silent any longer” as Pyongyang prepares for its seventh nuclear test.

“Clearly, silence and restraint didn’t work. It’s time to stop allowing this and start taking action,” Ms. Thomas-Greenfield told a US-convened Security Council meeting on the missile launch. North Korea’s newest ballistics.

Since 2006, the United Nations has placed sanctions on North Korea for its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

This May, the US wants the 15-member Security Council to vote on a US-drafted resolution to impose more sanctions on Pyongyang.

Thomas-Greenfield said the US “cannot wait” until North Korea conducts another nuclear test. “Washington assesses North Korea may be ready to conduct such a test as early as this month,” she said.

However, China and Russia still oppose the United Nations imposing more sanctions on North Korea. Both countries have long pushed for the UN to ease those measures on North Korea for humanitarian reasons.

In response, the US said that this is not the time to ease sanctions for North Korea.

On May 11, Chinese Ambassador to the UN Zhang Jun said the US-drafted resolution “is not the appropriate way to deal with the current situation”.

“Unfortunately, the US has turned a blind eye to the reasonable proposals of China and other relevant members of the council, and is still mistaken about the magical power of sanctions,” Zhang said.

Meanwhile, Russia’s deputy ambassador to the United Nations, Anna Evstigneeva, said a resolution drafted by Russia and China aimed at easing sanctions on North Korea still needs to be considered and “could encourage the parties to step up their efforts.” negotiate”.

The Security Council tightened sanctions on Pyongyang for the last time in 2017. However, North Korea is said to have evaded some UN sanctions.