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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin stand for a photo marking their summit in Vladivostok, Russia, on April 25, 2019. (Yonhap)

US Vice President Kamala Harris warned that it would be a “huge mistake” for North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss weapons transactions at their summit, as some have predicted.

In an interview with the CBS network broadcast Sunday (local time), Harris stressed that it would be a “huge mistake” for North Korea to supply ammunition to Russia following the latter’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

“I also believe very strongly that for both Russia and North Korea, this will further isolate them,” she said.

Harris characterized Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as an “absolute violation of one of the most important agreements that we have around the world in terms of international rules and norms,” while describing the predicted North Korea-Russia summit as an “act of desperation” by Moscow as it struggles with sanctions and a lack of ammunition.

Explaining that Russia has already suffered a “strategic failure,” she observed that while it predicted a year and a half ago that Ukraine would capitulate in a matter of days, the fight has continued.

When asked about speculation that North Korea is hoping to receive nuclear submarine or satellite technology in exchange for weapons, Harris stressed, “We are all absolutely clear and unequivocal about our goal of the complete denuclearization of North Korea.”

The US government has been issuing warnings ever since the New York Times reported on Sept. 4 that Kim was expected to meet with Putin and discuss weapon transactions during the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok this week.

In remarks the following day, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan seemed to echo the predictions of a summit, noting that discussions between Pyongyang and Moscow over weapon transactions were “actively advancing.” He also warned that if North Korea supplied shells or other ammunition to Russia, this was “not going to reflect well on North Korea, and they will pay a price for this in the international community.”

Bloomberg reported Monday that Russia may ask North Korea for 122mm and 152mm artillery rounds, 122mm rockets, anti-tank missiles, and surface-to-air missiles. It also quoted an expert on North Korean weaponry as predicting that Soviet-era tanks and related components could be provided.

By Lee Bon-young, Washington correspondent

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