U.N. chief says Russia must uphold North Korea sanctions

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -- Russia must abide by United Nations sanctions on North Korea, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Friday after the two countries this week deepened ties and agreed to provide immediate military assistance if either faces armed aggression.

The pact -- signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Wednesday -- follows U.S. accusations that Pyongyang has been transferring weapons to Russia for use against Ukraine, which it invaded in February 2022. Both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied the accusations.