North Korea defended its decision to recognise the independence of the Ukrainian breakaway territories of Donetsk and Luhansk after Kyiv severed all diplomatic ties with Pyongyang last week.
In a statement published by state-owned news agency KCNA, North Korea said Ukraine has “no right and qualification” to oppose its sovereign decision, saying that Kyiv itself has “committed acts quite contrary to impartiality and justice” by “aligning itself” with the United States’ (US) “unreasonable and illegal hostile policy” against North Korea. It thus stressed that Pyongyang maintains friendly and cooperative ties with all countries who “respect its sovereignty and are friendly to it” and those who adhere to the principles of “non-interference.”
On Wednesday, North Korea recognised the independence of the Russian-backed eastern Ukrainian territories of Donetsk and Luhansk, and said in a press release that it looks forward to developing “state0to-state relations with those countries,” noting that they have a “legitimate right” to self-determination under the United Nations (UN) charter.
Dmytro Kuleba predicts that Russia's isolation will soon reach that of North Korea
— Samuel Ramani (@SamRamani2) July 15, 2022
North Korea's recognition of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics has created a hostile war of words with Ukraine, as both sides accuse each other of breaching their sovereignty
Its ambassador to Russia, Sin Hong-chol, presented a document recognising this change in policy to the Donetsk People’s Republic’s (DPR) ambassador to Russia, Olga Makayeva.
Furthermore, Foreign Minister Choe Sun Hui sent letters to the leaders of Donetsk and Luhansk confirming the decision.
In response, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry condemned North Korea for its attempt “to undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” calling it a “gross violation of the Constitution of Ukraine, the UN Charter and the fundamental norms and principles of international law.”
It added that Pyongyang’s “unfriendly act” was “null and void, will have no legal consequences, and will not change the internationally recognised borders of Ukraine.” It also announced the “immediate severance” of diplomatic relations with North Korea.
Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba warned that Russia will “soon reach the level of isolation” of North Korea, saying, “Russia has no more allies in the world, except for countries that depend on it financially and politically.”
Ukraine today breaks diplomatic relations with DPRK in response to its decision to recognize the so-called ‘independence’ of the temporarily Russian-occupied territories in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine.
— Oleg Nikolenko (@OlegNikolenko_) July 13, 2022
Meanwhile, Russian state-owned news agency TASS reported that Donetsk leader Denis Pushilin was appreciative of North Korea’s recognition.
In a message posted to Telegram following Pyongyang’s announcement, Pushilin said that Donetsk’s “international status” and “statehood” continue “to get stronger.” He further thanked Pyongyang for its “great support for the Donbass people.”
Pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine claim that their self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic had been recognised by North Korea. Denis Pushilin, head of the DPR, hails North Korea's approval as "a new victory for our diplomacy." pic.twitter.com/TQBUpDQq2z
— World News 24 (@DailyWorld24) July 13, 2022
Calling it “another diplomatic victory,” Pushilin added that the “political decision will also provide the basis for the future development of economic relations.” “Bilateral partnership will make it possible for our companies to expand their trade. I look forward to active and fruitful cooperation,” he added.
North Korea is the third country, after Russia and Syria, in the world to officially recognise the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk comes shortly after Russia and China recently vetoed the imposition of new sanctions of North Korea in the UN Security Council. North Korea also recognised the independence of Russia-annexed Crimea back in 2014.
Last month, it voiced concern that Washington is scheming with Seoul and Tokyo to create an “Asian NATO,” arguing that the US is “hell-bent” on military cooperation with its “stooges,” to the detriment of regional security and with the aim of “containing rivals” such as China and Russia and “gratifying [its] wild ambition for world domination.”