Russia exploits UN position by acquiring N.Korean missiles - US

The United States and seven other nations on Wednesday accused Russia of exploiting its position as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council by acquiring North Korean missiles and firing them into Ukraine in violation of Council resolutions.

"A permanent Security Council member that willingly engages in these violations demonstrates a clear exploitation of its position," said the statement by permanent Council members Britain, France and the United States, non-permanent members Malta, Slovenia and South Korea as well as Japan and Ukraine. (Reporting By Jonathan Landay in Washington and and Arshad Mohammed in Saint Paul, Minn., Editing by Franklin Paul)