Veto by Russia, abstention by China: Moscow blocks extension of UN panel of experts on North Korea. Because of Russia's dissenting vote, the expert panel has to finish its work at the end of April.
Russia wants to end independent verification of compliance with sanctions because it needs military support for its war of aggression against Ukraine. The West is trying to strangle North Korea, said Russian UN Ambassador Wassili Nebensja, explaining his country's no vote. The USA, France, South Korea, Japan and Great Britain emphasized their “deep disappointment” with the outcome of the vote.