The United States on Monday called out Russia and China at the United Nations Security Council for "shamelessly protecting" and emboldening North Korea to further violate U.N. sanctions.

"Russia and China have shamelessly protected Pyongyang from any reprisal, or even condemnation of its actions," deputy U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Robert Wood told the 15-member council, which was meeting over Pyongyang's test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile.