 US, Russia seeking munitions from North Korea in exchange for food supplies. The White House said it has new evidence that Russia is looking again to North Korea for weapons to fuel the war in Ukraine, this time in a deal that would provide Pyongyang with needed food and other commodities in return. As part of this proposed deal, Russia would receive over two dozen kinds of weapons and munitions from Pyongyang. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said, We also understand that Russia is seeking to send a delegation to North Korea and that Russia is offering North Korea food in exchange for munitions. We remain concerned that North Korea will provide further support and Russia's military operations against Ukraine and we have new information that Russia is actively seeking to acquire additional munitions from North Korea, he said. Kirby emphasised that any provision of weapons or munitions to Russia by North Korea would be in violation of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions which prohibit any shipments of weapons to and from the North. Any arms deal between North Korea and Russia would directly violate a series of UN Security Council resolutions. We've taken note of North Korea's recent statement that they will not provide or sell arms to Russia and we are continuing to monitor this closely, he told the press briefing. We are going to continue to identify, expose and counter Russian attempts to acquire military equipment from North Korea or from any other state that is prepared to support its war in Ukraine, he added. John Kirby said North Korea seeks to secure food supplies in exchange and that the potential arms deal is being arranged through a Slovakian arms dealer identified as Ashok Makhrichev. Makhrichev worked with North Korea officials to obtain over two dozen kinds of weapons and munitions for Russia in exchange for materials ranging from commercial aircraft, raw materials and commodities to be sent to North Korea.