Ukraine breaks diplomatic relations with North Korea for recognizing the independence of Donetsk and Lugansk

July 13 () –

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has announced the rupture of diplomatic relations with North Korea after the Asian nation recognized this Wednesday the independence of the self-proclaimed People’s Republic of Donetsk and its neighbor Lugansk, located in the Ukrainian Donbas and related to Russia.

The Ukrainian diplomatic portfolio considers this step by North Korea as an attempt to undermine the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as a violation of the United Nations Charter and the fundamental norms and principles of International Law.

However, in kyiv they have acknowledged being aware that Pyongyang’s declaration will have no legal effect or consequences, since it does not alter Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders, according to the Ukrainian news agency UNIAN.

For his part, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dimitro Kuleba, considers that North Korea has taken this step at the request of Russia, which says more about the “toxicity” of Moscow than about the Pyongyang authorities themselves.

“Russia no longer has any allies in the world, except the countries that depend on it financially and politically, and Russia’s level of isolation will soon reach the level of isolation of North Korea,” Kuleba criticized.

The North Korean authorities recognized on Wednesday the independence of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and its neighbor Lugansk (LPR), following the steps taken a few weeks ago by Syria.

At the time, kyiv also considered the Damascus move a “hostile act” and “forced” by Russia. The Ukrainian authorities also announced the severance of diplomatic relations with Syria.