During an interview with the country's news agency, the deputy foreign minister of Russia appreciated North Korea's support to Russia in the war with Ukraine.

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA): Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko said in an interview with TASS news agency that was published yesterday: North Korea is among the countries that firmly reject the decision of the Russian Federation to conduct special military operations in Ukraine and also He supported the integration of Zaporizhia and Kherson, Donetsk and Lugansk regions into Russia.
 
Rudenko added that we appreciate this support and will undoubtedly consider the development of cooperation and the traditional friendly relationship that was decided at the meeting of the leaders of Russia and North Korea in Vladivostok in April 2019.
 
This high-ranking Russian diplomat emphasized: Moscow and Pyongyang show similar approaches to many international issues and a high level of political dialogue and mutual understanding.
 
On July 13, 2022, North Korea recognized the independence of Luhansk and Donetsk People's Republics. Following this, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine announced that it will cut diplomatic relations with North Korea.
 
On September 23-27, Luhansk and Donetsk People's Republics, Zaporizhia and Kherson regions held a referendum for joining Russia, and according to Moscow, the majority of the residents of these areas showed their support for this action.
 
On September 30, Russian President Vladimir Putin and the heads of these regions signed the treaties of the integration of these lands into Russia, and subsequently, on October 4, Putin signed the annexation laws of these regions.