Canada condemns arms deal between North Korea and sanctioned Russian entity

December 23, 2022 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement:

“Canada unequivocally condemns North Korea’s complicity in Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war of choice against Ukraine and its delivery of arms to the Wagner Group, a brutal private military organization supporting Russia’s illegal invasion. 

“The collaboration between North Korea’s dictatorship and the Wagner Group clearly violates international law and United Nations Security Council resolutions.

“Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine is a failure, and the Russian regime is a global pariah. Striking a deal with the brutal North Korean dictatorship is only proof of Russia’s growing isolation on the world stage and of the dire state of its war machine. 

“Canada has already imposed severe sanctions on the Russian regime, including on the Wagner Group, as well as sweeping and comprehensive sanctions on the North Korean dictatorship. We will continue to work with international partners to address these developments and respond to further arms deliveries should they take place. Together, we will ensure that the North Korean and Russian regimes face severe consequences for their violations of human rights and international law.

“Canada continues to stand with the people of Ukraine as they fight to defend their homeland and the cause of freedom.”