A representative from the United States has derided Russian president Vladimir Putin’s present of a Russian vehicle to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, while also accusing Moscow of disregarding UN resolutions.
On Tuesday, North Korean state media reported that Kim received a vehicle from Russian President Vladimir Putin for his own personal use.
The Kremlin’s representative, Dmitry Peskov, verified the present and revealed that it was an Aurus, a luxurious full-size sedan similar to the one used by Putin.
According to Peskov, while visiting the Vostochny cosmodrome, the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un, had the opportunity to see a car that was personally shown to him by Putin. Like many others, Kim expressed admiration for the vehicle.
According to Peskov, the decision was made to continue developing relations with all of our neighbors, including North Korea, as they are a close neighbor.
When questioned about the present, Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the state department, stated during a press briefing in Washington on Wednesday, “To be completely honest, I was not aware of the existence of a Russian luxury car.”
“I hope Kim remembered to get the extended warranty,” he joked. “I highly doubt that Russia would be my first choice for purchasing a luxury car.”
According to the Korean Central News Agency, Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of Kim, stated that the “present is a strong indication of the close personal ties between the highest leaders.”
Since the invasion of Ukraine by Moscow, Russia and North Korea have been developing a closer relationship, highlighted by a meeting between Kim and Putin in September in Russia’s far east.
American and South Korean authorities report that Russia, historically a dominant force in the military realm, is now resorting to acquiring weapons from North Korea and Iran due to a pressing need to restock its supply.
Reiterating the sentiments expressed by South Korea, the United States stated that providing the gift would violate a UN security council prohibition on sending extravagant items to North Korea. This country has persistently conducted nuclear and missile tests in defiance.
Miller stated that if this is accurate, it could be seen as Russia once again disregarding UN security council resolutions that it had previously backed.
Lada, the most famous car in Russia, was often ridiculed in the Western world during the cold war for its simple and practical design. Its affordable price attracted drivers from outside the Soviet bloc who were looking for budget-friendly options.
The car underwent a transformation with assistance from Renault, a French company that relinquished its 68% ownership of Lada’s AvtoVAZ after the invasion of Ukraine, transferring the assets to Moscow.
With Reuters and Agence France-Presse
Source: theguardian.com
