TE24 International Desk:
Ukraine’s foreign ministry later cut diplomatic ties with North Korea and condemned Pyongyang’s decision to undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
North Korea has repeatedly blamed the United States for the crisis in Ukraine, claiming that Western “hegemonic policy” justified Russia’s attack on Ukraine to defend itself.
North Korean state media said Thursday that the country’s Foreign Minister, Choi Seung-hui, would send a letter to separatist leaders in Donetsk and Luhansk next day acknowledging North Korea’s willingness to establish independence and diplomatic ties. Both builds are said to have informed North Korea of the decision.
Donetsk separatist leader Denis Pushilin confirmed North Korea’s decision on Wednesday.
Luhansk and Donetsk together form the Donbas region, a predominantly Russian-speaking region of steelworks, mining and other industries in eastern Ukraine.
The separatists have controlled parts of both provinces since 2014, but Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized their independence shortly before the offensive began in February. Syria has since recognized their independence.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Russia’s appeal to North Korea for support showed that Moscow “has no more allies in the world, countries that depend on it financially and politically.”
Ukraine has already suspended its political and economic ties with North Korea due to international sanctions imposed on North Korea over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.
“The level of isolation of the Russian Federation will soon reach the level of isolation of the DPRK,” Kuleba said in a statement using the initials of North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
Russia’s aggression in Ukraine has effectively paralyzed the United Nations Security Council, where Russia has given a veto-wielding permanent member, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, an opening to advance his weapons development as he seeks to cement the North’s status.
Negotiate the removal of crippling US-led sanctions as a nuclear power and power position.
North Korea has tested more than 30 missiles in 2022 alone. This includes ICBM flight tests for the first time in nearly five years. There is also evidence that Norden is rebuilding a tunnel at its last active nuclear test site in 2017 in preparation for resuming nuclear testing.
