Russia has vetoed a United Nations Expert Panel that has been monitoring sanctions against North Korea. Moscow’s decision to quash the renewal of the panel came after the expert committee last week was said to have been probing Russia’s alleged purchase of North Korean weapons like ballistic missiles. The Russian purchase allegedly violated the rules and sanctions imposed on North Korea by the UN Security Council. The UNSC has imposed multiple sanctions on North Korea since 2006 over Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons program.
Russia, a permanent member of the Security Council, used its veto power to block the renewal of the panel. While 13 other nations voted for renewal, China abstained from the voting while Russia vetoed it. This is the first time Russia has blocked the panel, which has been renewed annually by the UN Security Council for 14 years.
