Russia and China denounce sanctions on North Korea in a joint statement released after a summit in Moscow on Thursday. Presidents Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping urged countries to drop “unilateral coercive measures” and military pressure on Pyongyang. They also warned against the growing militarization of Northeast Asia and called for renewed diplomacy. Their message comes just ahead of Russia’s Victory Day parade, signaling stronger alignment against U.S. foreign policy. Russia and China denounce sanctions on North Korea as they deepen regional cooperation.
Both leaders highlighted the need to reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula through political and diplomatic means. They emphasized respect for sovereignty and mutual national interests as essential for regional peace. Additionally, they criticized Washington for triggering instability through its alliances and military expansion. Putin and Xi directly opposed NATO’s presence and any nuclear deployments in East Asia. Russia and China denounce sanctions on North Korea while rejecting U.S.-led military strategies in the region.
Their comments follow strong criticism from the U.S. at a recent U.N. Security Council meeting. Ambassador Dorothy Shea accused Moscow of blocking sanctions enforcement and undermining the U.N. Panel of Experts. She also charged Beijing with helping Pyongyang by importing sanctioned resources like coal and iron ore. According to the U.S., this trade funds North Korea’s weapons development and missile programs. Russia and China denounce sanctions on North Korea despite mounting international concern over proliferation threats.
Victory Day celebrations have drawn global attention, with Xi Jinping attending the parade in Red Square on May 9. Thirteen foreign military contingents joined the event, with China sending the largest number of honor guards. North Korea, although invited, sent only an ambassador and military officers, not Kim Jong Un. Russian media reported the presence of high-ranking North Korean officials at the festivities. Security remains tight in Moscow as authorities brace for possible Ukrainian strikes during the commemorations.
Beyond Moscow, the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang hosted a banquet honoring Soviet-North Korean military ties. Over 150 guests attended, including DPRK officials and foreign diplomats. A photo exhibition celebrated shared military operations, including recent combat in Ukraine’s Kursk region. Ambassador Alexander Matsegora praised the role of North Korean troops in that conflict. These symbolic gestures reinforce the deepening relationship as Russia and China denounce sanctions on North Korea and strengthen anti-Western alliances.