Russia resumed oil exports to North Korea in December, according to UN data, which was the first such shipment since 2020, as the two countries began to deepen ties, with the United States highlighting the dangers of arms supplies to Moscow .

North Korea seeks closer ties with the Kremlin and backed Moscow when it invaded Ukraine last year, criticizing what it calls the “hegemonic policy” of the United States and the West. Russia exported 67,000 barrels of refined oil to North Korea through April and are the first deliveries reported to the United Nations since Moscow said it sent North Korea 255 barrels of refined oil in August 2020.

According to sanctions imposed by the UN on Pyongyang for its nuclear and missile programs, countries are required to report monthly sales of refined oil to the Security Council’s North Korea sanctions committee.

Oil sales began shortly after rail communication between Russia and North Korea resumed in November for the first time since 2020, boosting expectations for a resumption of trade.

The United States is concerned that North Korea is planning to send more weapons to Russia, a State Department spokesman said yesterday, after its leader Kim Jong Un vowed to strengthen strategic cooperation with Moscow. Although Pyongyang denies that it has sold weapons to the Russia, the United States confirmed that North Korea has sent weapons in November, including Army rockets and missiles, to the Kremlin-backed Wagner mercenary group.