The US government has declared Russian President Vladimir Putin’s gift of a luxury Aurus Senat limousine to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as illegal under United Nations sanctions. These sanctions specifically prohibit the supply of luxury goods, including transportation vehicles, to North Korea.
Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the United States Department of State, expressed concern over Russia’s actions, stating, “If this is true, it would appear to be once again Russia violating UN Security Council resolutions that it itself supported.” Miller also admitted surprise at the existence of a Russian luxury car.
The controversial gift was bestowed by Putin to Kim Jong-un, following the North Korean leader’s expressed admiration for the official luxury car during his visit to Russia in September of the previous year.
The Russian-made Aurus Senat L700 limousine was delivered to Kim’s aides by the Russian side on February 18th, as reported by North Korea’s official KCNA news agency.
According to KCNA, Kim Yo Jong, Kim’s sister, conveyed her brother’s gratitude to Putin, describing the gift as a symbol of the special personal relationship between the leaders of North Korea and Russia.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov later confirmed the gift, explaining that Kim had expressed a liking for the car during his visit to the Vostochny cosmodrome, and thus the decision was made to gift it.
Peskov emphasized Russia’s intention to continue developing relations with all its neighbors, including North Korea, underscoring the close geographical proximity between the two countries.
