According to US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, Russia intends to send a delegation to North Korea, in order to negotiate with Pyongyang for more weapons.
Source. CNN
"We have new information that Russia is actively seeking additional munitions from North Korea," Kirby said.
"We also understand that Russia is preparing to send a delegation to North Korea. And that the Kremlin will offer North Korea food in exchange for ammunition," he added.
Kirby said that arms dealer Ashot Mkrtichov is at the center of this latest attempt by Russia to circumvent Western sanctions.
Earlier on Thursday, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Mkrtichov, accusing him of trying to facilitate an arms deal between Russia and North Korea.
"With this new rogue status also comes risks for those who provide support to him, as we will not hesitate to pursue such malicious actors in the future," Kirby said, promising to "continue to identify, expose, and counter Russia's attempts to acquire military equipment" from North Korea or any other state that is willing to support a war against Ukraine.
Earlier, the United States said that last year Russia began purchasing millions of missiles and artillery shells from North Korea. And at the end of 2022, North Korea supplied the Wagner PMC with infantry missiles for use in the war in Ukraine.