A debate erupted between the United States, China, and Russia during a United Nations Security Council meeting on Monday regarding who is responsible for prompting North Korea to launch dozens of ballistic missiles and develop its nuclear weapons program. The council met to discuss what Pyongyang claimed was the launch of the Hwasong-17, its largest intercontinental ballistic missile, on Thursday. North Korea has been under UN sanctions due to its missile and nuclear programs since 2006.
China and Russia blamed the joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea for provoking Pyongyang, while Washington accused Beijing and Moscow of encouraging North Korea by shielding it from facing additional sanctions. The council has been divided for years on how to deal with Pyongyang. Russia and China, which hold veto power like the United States, Britain, and France, stated that imposing more sanctions would not help and are seeking to ease these measures.
