U.S. Raises the Roof on China & Russia’s “No Limits” Pact
It all kicked off on June 8, when the United Nations General Assembly turned into a quiet battlefield of political rhetoric. The United States took a jab at a growing alliance, questioning whether the “no limits” partnership between China and Russia was raising the bar for global security rather than lowering it.
Key Take‑aways
- China and Russia’s veto on North Korea sanctions triggered a split in the Security Council for the first time since 2006.
- U.S. diplomat Jeffrey DeLaurentis slammed the vetoes as “insufficient, not credible, and not convincing.”
- China’s Wu Jianjian defended the vote, claiming it was “entirely reasonable” and that more sanctions only harden a cease‑fire.
- Russia remains silent, failing to comment on U.S. remarks.
- North Korea continues launching missiles, planning a 7th nuclear test, while U.S. remains ready to push for more sanctions.
The Veto Drama
It all begins with a “no limits” declaration by China and Russia in February—just weeks before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine took the headlines. Fast forward a couple of months, and the pair shut out the United Nations’ pressure on North Korea by vetoing a sanctions draft. And it was a first‑ever split in the Security Council, which has long held punitive power over Pyongyang.
After the veto action, senior U.S. diplomat Jeffrey DeLaurentis said, “We hope these vetoes are not a reflection of that partnership.” He went on—like a stand‑up comic bursting into a political debate—to drop a line about the lack of evidence: “Their explanations for exercising the veto were insufficient, not credible and not convincing. The vetoes were not deployed to serve our collective safety and security.”
Meanwhile, China’s diplomat Wu Jianjian threw his rebuttal in. “China categorically rejects presumptuous comments and accusations against China’s voting position,” he said. “China’s vote against the U.S.-tabled draft resolution was entirely reasonable and justified.” Yet, he also sledged that more sanctions would push political solutions farther away.
Russia, for now, remains a silent observer. The UN mission didn’t respond to U.S. remarks on the veto wall.
North Korea’s Missile Games
North Korea has been on a missile launch binge this year, testing intercontinental rockets aka ICBMs. Remember when Kim Jong‑un and President Trump did a moratorium in 2018? Wonder if they planned a “red‑flag” to break it? That’s what North Korea’s official narratives call their “defensive posture.”
In a parallel line of offense, the U.S. says it’s bracing for a 7th nuclear test from Pyongyang. The ambassador put in a cryptic straws of keep the United Nations sanctions-up, while luring back any hint of diplomatic dialogue—“more than prepared to discuss easing sanctions” to die down the nuclear tinder.
China’s Take‑away
Speaking to the General Assembly, China’s UN Ambassador Zhang Jun threw an opinion wall. He blamed U.S. “flip‑flop of policies” for a renewed escalation. He adds, “There are many things that the U.S can do, such as easing sanctions on the DPRK in certain areas, ending joint military exercises (with South Korea). The key is to take actions, not just talk about its readiness for dialogue with no preconditions.”
Meanwhile, the North Korean side—backed by their UN Ambassador Kim Song—climbed up the diplomatic hill with a defense of missile launches. He said, “The DPRK’s missile launches and nuclear tests were unprovoked.” And added, “We are bolstering national defense in the scope of self‑defense rights.”
Why does this matter?
In a world that seems to pivot on continental giants deciding whether or not to lock in arms‑counters, the United Nations transforms into a circus of political acrobatics. A U.S. splash of “veto criticism” respects the political impact of coalition moves. A China & Russia duo signals a group of allies willing to let their judgments slack and shepherd Pyongyang’s policy into the political “brooding space.” Thereby a strategic dilemma is born.
Final word
Picture a grand stage. The U.S. walks up, mic‑in‑hand, slaps a harsh critique on the trio, while China remains smug, basking in the calm of “reasonable” sanction vetoes, and Russia watches like an aloof critic not bothering. The subject? North Korea. The issues? Nuclear tests, missile launches & sanctions. It’s a tense drama, but let’s hope it won’t change it for a “trouble‑makers’” cartoonist.
