Ukraine announced the cutting of diplomatic relations with North Korea after Pyongyang recognized independence from the separatist areas Donetsk and Lugansk.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry on July 13 issued a statement criticizing North Korea for the independent recognition of two areas of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) in the People's Republic of Lugansk (LPR).

In response, Ukraine declared cutting off diplomatic relations with North Korea.

Secretary of State KuleBa after a meeting at the European Union headquarters (EU) in Belgium in May: Photo: AFP.

The North Korean Central News Agency today announced that the country decided to recognize the independence of DPR and LPR, expressing the desire to develop relations between the State for independence, peace and friendship, but not proposed,

The move made North Korea the third country recognized the independence of two areas of eastern Ukraine, after Russia and Syria.

The provinces of Donetsk and Lugansk are located in the Donbass region, eastern Ukraine, becoming a hot spot since 2014, after the people here demanded an unsuccessful autonomy and organize the armed protest movement.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 21 recognized DPR and LPR independently.

In April 2019, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met Mr. Putin in the city of Vladivostok in the Far East of Russia.

The Russian media and the Donetsk People's Republic of the People's Republic said that North Korea has recognized independence of two areas of eastern Ukraine.