The Russian Foreign Ministry did not mince words in its response over fresh U.S. sanctions imposed on Russia, China, and Singapore, describing the move as "destructive," "illegitimate," and a "road to nowhere."
The reaction came as the United States punished one individual and shipping companies from Russia, Singapore, and China on allegations that they facilitate illicit shipments for North Korea. The shipments are believed to be instrumental for the state to successfully evade economic sanctions imposed in accordance with the decisions of the UN Security Council.
The United States asserts its commitment to preventing financial flows to NorKor up until it has completely gotten rid of its "weapons of mass destructions" programs.
In Russia, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned the port agency Profinet and its Director General Vasily Kolchanov for allegedly providing port services to North Korean ships that are illegally transporting oil. The U.S. sanction freezes any assets the companies may have in the United States and prevents any U.S. entities to conduct business with them.
In its statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry said the United States took one more unfriendly step against Russia as it imposed the sanction without presenting evidence or explaining the reasons behind the decision.
The ministry asserted that the United States is punishing the country on baseless grounds while Russia is only exercising its principled position about the issue involving North Korea's denuclearization. The statement stressed that Washington is dividing the international community in a time when cooperation is needed to address NorKor's nuclear programs. It added that the destructive move from the United States only undermines the recent progress towards a settlement.
Russia warned that Washington is making a dangerous move with its imposition of maximum pressure on North Korea. The ministry asserted that U.S. sanctions are unlawful, futile, and an entire disregard of bilateral relations, dragging the international community to a road that leads nowhere.
Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, during his announcement of the fresh rounds of sanctions, affirmed that the companies based in China, Singapore, and Russia are using tactics that are prohibited under U.S. law. These sanctions against them will remain in effect until it can fully be verified that North Korea completed its denuclearization as agreed upon with the UN council.
Other companies included in the sanctions were the Dalian Sun Moon Star International that is based in China and the SINSMS which is Dalian's affiliate company based in Singapore.
These companies allegedly used falsified shipping documents to facilitate illegal shipments of alcohol, tobacco, and cigarette products to North Korea.
