The reports came a day after China denied similar accusations.
Senior European security sources have claimed that Russian tankers have undermined U. N. Security Council sanctions by transferring fuel to North Korean tankers in international waters.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry vehemently denied the accusations Saturday, saying Russia has “fully and strictly observed the sanctions regime.” A recent round of tighter sanctions unanimously passed by the U. N. Security Council sharply limits the amount of refined oil products that North Korea can import.
The reports came a day after China denied similar accusations. On Friday, President Trump claimed China had been caught “red-handed” transferring oil to North Korean vessels. Beijing has denied any wrongdoing and said it would punish any such actions, should they be found to have happened.
The United States has voiced concern over efforts to undermine the U. N. sanctions, claiming such acts provide a lifeline to Pyongyang.
Oil is important for the operation of North Korea’s intercontinental ballistic missile program, which has caused international consternation and was the reason for the U. N. sanctions. It is hoped that by crippling the country economically, it can be forced to give up the program.
Russia and China have both made calls for a diplomatic solution to the crisis, which has become ever more heated as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Trump have taken to exchanging public insults over the last year.
Russia and China, both of which sit on the U. N. Security Council, are also two of North Korea’s largest trading partners.
This article was originally published on DW.com. Its content is separate from USA TODAY.
