In exchange for supplying Moscow with weapons for the war against Ukraine, North Korea may receive technical assistance from Russia in the development of nuclear weapons and long-range missiles.
This was stated by US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, Reuters reports.
"We believe there are discussions about what North Korea is getting in return, and they may be related to its nuclear or long-range missile plans, perhaps other things in the energy sector, etc." he said.
Campbell noted that China, Iran and North Korea have increased security cooperation with Russia, and Beijing and Pyongyang have done the most to support the rebuilding of the Kremlin's defence industrial base after its invasion of Ukraine.
"In return, Russia supports progress in the military programmes of all three of these partners," he said.
He added that partnerships have limitations, but they cannot be ignored, reiterating that North Korea is supplying Russia with artillery shells, long-range missiles and other weapons.