Russian veto ends monitoring of UN’s N. Korea sanctions

Russia’s move to effectively disband the panel of experts monitoring longstanding United Nations sanctions against North Korea points to a “grim future” for sanctions enforcement.

Three former members of the panel said this to Reuters.

Russia vetoed the annual renewal of the multinational panel of experts.

The panel has spent the last 15 years monitoring UN sanctions against North Korea over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.

China, North Korea’s only military ally and its largest trading partner, abstained.

Beijing and Moscow have denied breaking sanctions but have blocked new measures at the UN Security Council and advocated lifting some existing sanctions on North Korea, blaming the West and its allies for exacerbating tensions.

Diplomats said it appeared unlikely there would be another vote to try to renew the mandate before it expires on April 30.