Western allies on May 31 issued a joint statement calling on North Korea to stop its weapons transfers to Russia for use in Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. The statement signed by the United States, Australia, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea said they were "gravely concerned" by the increased cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang in defiance to UN resolutions. "We call on the DPRK (North Korea) and Russia to cease unlawful arms transfers," said the statement, adding that recent sanctions imposed by the signatories are a "coordinated effort" to hold Pyongyang and Moscow to account.