SEOUL: North Korea has become one of the few nations in the world to recognize the independence of two Russian-backed separatist regions in eastern Ukraine in support of Russia's war against its neighbor.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry cut off diplomatic ties with Pyongyang in response and condemned its decision as undermining Kyiv's sovereignty and territorial integrity.North Korea has repeatedly blamed the United States for the crisis in Ukraine, claiming the West's "hegemonic policy" justified Russia's offensive to protect itself.
The East Asian nation's state media said on Thursday that North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Sun Hui sent letters to leaders in the breakaway regions of Donetsk and Luhansk the day before to convey Pyongyang's decision to recognize their independence and its willingness to develop diplomatic relations with both.
Donetsk separatist leader Denis Pushilin acknowledged North Korea's decision on Wednesday.
Luhansk and Donetsk make up the Donbas region, a mostly Russian-speaking region of steel factories, mines and other industries in Ukraine's east. Separatists have controlled parts of both provinces since 2014, but Russian President Vladimir Putin only recognized their independence shortly before his troops invaded on February 24. Syria has since recognized their independence as well.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Russia's appeal to North Korea for support shows Moscow had "no more allies in the world, except for countries that depend on it financially and politically." Kyiv had already suspended its political and economic contacts with Pyongyang because of international sanctions imposed on the North over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles program.
"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 formal name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
