Pro-Russian separatists say they recognize Kim Jong-un

The pro-Russian separatist territory of Donetsk, in eastern Ukraine, said on Wednesday that it had been recognized as a state by North Korea, which for its part has not made a 'announcement immediately.

This recognition would be the third, after those of Syria at the end of June and of Russia a few days before Moscow launched its offensive against Ukraine in February .

The diplomatic representation of the separatists in Moscow broadcast on Telegram a photo of its representative Olga Makeïeva receiving what she presents as a letter of recognition from the hands of the North Korean ambassador Sin Hong Chol.

Shortly before, the leader of the separatist territory of Donetsk, Denis Pushilin, had announced this recognition by the North Korean authorities.

“The international status of the Donetsk People's Republic continues to strengthen,” he said.

“This is a new victory for our diplomacy,” he also said. told AFP.

The other pro-Russian separatist territory in eastern Ukraine, that of Lugansk, has not made any such announcement.

Russia has justified its military offensive against Ukraine by the need to defend these separatist entities in the east of the country.

Moscow is widely considered, despite its denials, as the instigator of these movements separatists in 2014, in the wake of Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimean peninsula.