Any diplomatic relations between Ukraine and North Korea are no longer.Kyiv has announced it has severed ties with Pyeongyang after the North said it recognizes the independence of two regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine.In a statement on its website, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said the North's decision is considered as an attempt by Pyeongyang to undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.The Donetsk People's Republic's embassy in Moscow posted a photo on its Telegram channel of a ceremonyin which North Korea's ambassador to Moscow, Sin Hong-chol, handed a certificate of recognition.The Donetsk People's Republic's leader praised Pyeongyang's recognition, saying he hopes for "fruitful cooperation" and increased trade with North Korea.Meanwhile, North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency confirmed the official recognition in a report on Thursday.It said that the regime's top diplomat Choe Son-hui had sent letters to her counterparts in the two regions, expressing Pyeongyang's will to expand relations.North Korea's ambassador to the United Nations, Kim Song also confirmed that the North is ready to fully support Russia's position on the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.Pundits say North Korea's recognition comes as no surprise, as Russia is one of the North's few remaining allies,and has regularly vetoed UN Security Council resolutions against the regime.
