Ukraine Cuts Diplomatic Ties with North Korea

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry announced that Kyiv has severed diplomatic relations with North Korea due to the latter's recognition of the independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry strongly condemned "the decision of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," considering it "an attempt to undermine Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity by Pyongyang." Ukraine clarified that "in response to such unfriendly actions, Ukraine has declared the cutting of diplomatic relations with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea." The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry noted in its statement that political and economic communications with North Korea had not existed due to international sanctions imposed on the country. North Korea recognized the independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics earlier on Wednesday. On the same day, the permanent representative of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea at the United Nations, Kim Son, indicated that the North Korean government is fully prepared to support Russia's position regarding the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics.