Russia and China veto sanctions against North Korea

According to Reuters news agency, the draft sanctions resolution North Korea drafted by the US received 13 votes in favor of the United Nations Security Council (UN), but was not approved by two permanent members, Russia and China. It is the first time that a draft resolution on sanctions on Pyongyang has been blocked in the Security Council since 2006.

“Today’s vote is disappointing for the Security Council. World is facing a clear and present danger from North Korea. Suppression and silence from the Council will not eliminate or lessen the threat. This will cause North Korea to take bolder actions,” said US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

“The Washington administration estimates that North Korea has launched at least six intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launches so far this year and is actively preparing for a nuclear test,” she added. .

Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia said that imposing more sanctions on North Korea “means we choose a dead end road”. “Russia has repeatedly emphasized the ineffectiveness and inhumanity of its move to increase pressure from sanctions on Pyongyang,” Nebenzia told Reuters.

Meanwhile, China’s Ambassador to the UN Zhang Jun said that imposing more sanctions on North Korea “will not help the situation to improve, but will only cause more negative effects and escalation of confrontation”.

Tuan Tran