The United States on Thursday criticized Russia for interfering with the process of publishing a U.N. report on North Korea sanctions that was due last week.

"Russia can't be allowed to edit and obstruct independent U.N. reports on North Korea sanctions just because they don't like what they say. Period," U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said in a press release.

(Nikky Hayley) 

A panel of independent experts put together in early August a confidential report to a U.N. Security Council sanctions committee. But its publication has been delayed after Russia opposed some unknown details contained in it.

Haley provided no substance about how Russia interfered or what specifically it objected to, but it is assumed Moscow opposed being implicated in possible U.N. sanctions violations.

"We're disappointed in the panel for caving to Russian pressure and making changes to what should be an independent report," Haley added, noting that it was a "dangerous precedent."

A draft U.N. experts' report, which was seen by Kyodo News in early August, pointed out that North Korea has continued with its nuclear programs in breach of U.N. bans.

It also said Pyongyang continues to defy global sanctions through a "massive increase" in illicit ship-to-ship transfers of refined petroleum products.