Kyiv severed diplomatic relations with North Korea
Ukraine has no right to raise sovereignty issues as it supports “unjust and illegal” US actions against our sovereignty, North Korea’s foreign ministry said today, as quoted by Reuters.
North Korean media released a ministry statement after Pyongyang formally recognized the two self-proclaimed republics in eastern Ukraine as independent states. Kyiv severed diplomatic relations with North Korea and described Pyongyang’s recognition of the two self-proclaimed republics as an attempt to undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
North Korea’s foreign ministry defended the decision by North Korean authorities, arguing that Ukraine acted against North Korea’s sovereignty by joining US sanctions against Pyongyang’s weapons programs. North Korea claims that the sole purpose of its nuclear and missile programs is to ensure the country’s defense capabilities. Pyongyang accuses the US of pursuing a hostile policy against it by imposing sanctions against North Korea and conducting joint military exercises with South Korea.
“We will continue to strengthen and develop relations of friendship and cooperation with all countries that respect our sovereignty and that treat us well, basing their actions on the principles of sovereign equality, non-interference in internal affairs and mutual respect “, the North Korean ministry said in a statement.
