Russia opposes U.S. unilateral sanctions against DPRK

Russia said Thursday that it is against new U.S. unilateral sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

"We do not recognize unilateral pressure. We proceed from the legitimacy of the UN Security Council and the fact that its sanctions are collective decision of the international community, with the aim of improving the situation and overcoming the crisis on the Korean Peninsula," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova was quoted by the Tass news agency as saying.

U.S. President Barack Obama issued an executive order on Wednesday to impose new sanctions on the DPRK.

The White House said the "robust new sanctions" are part of U.S. response to the DPRK's Jan. 6 nuclear test and Feb. 7 ballistic missile launch.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Thursday that China has always opposed any unilateral sanctions by any country.

Considering the sensitive and complex situation on the Korean Peninsula, China opposes any moves that may further escalate tensions, Lu added.

The UN Security Council on March 2 unanimously adopted Resolution 2270, which introduced the toughest sanctions against the DPRK to curb the country's nuclear and missile programs. On March 8, South Korea unveiled a package of new unilateral sanctions against the DPRK.