A top White House official has warned North Korea against supplying Russia with arms for its war against Ukraine, saying that Pyongyang would “pay a price” if it sells weapons to Moscow.  

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Tuesday in a press briefing that discussions are “actively advancing” between North Korea and Russia regarding Pyongyang’s military support.

Sullivan said that the U.S. will continue to call on North Korea to abide by its public commitments to refrain from supplying weapons to Russia, which will end up taking Ukrainian lives.

The top official warned that North Korea will pay a price in the international community if it decides to transfer arms to Russia. 

Refusing to comment on the North’s intentions for arms deals with Russia, Sullivan said the U.S. will continue to look for opportunities to dissuade the North Koreans from pursuing such a course of action.

Additionally, Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder, in a separate press briefing, pointed out that an arms deal between Pyongyang and Moscow would violate a number of United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Ryder called on North Korea to abstain from selling ammunition and arms to Russia, saying that such arms deal would unnecessarily prolong the conflict.

[Photo : YONHAP News]