January 18, 2026Jan 18, 2026
KCNA Pyongyang Times

Endless Diplomatic Friction

Date: 27/09/2022 | Source: Pyongyang Times | Read original version at source

In the context of the aggravating political and military confrontation between Russia on one side and the US and the West on the other over the Ukrainian situation, antagonism and friction in the field of diplomacy also remain unabated.

In the wake of the Ukrainian crisis, the US and the West expelled more than 400 Russian diplomats in groups in a bid to tarnish the external image of Russia and isolate it in the international arena. These days, they are also applying all kinds of sanctions including the seizure of property, prohibition of entry and suspension of visa issuance against individual companies and citizens, to say nothing of the senior government officials, institutions and state-run enterprises.

A few days ago, the Americans made a decision on seizing the assets of Lukoil Company of Russia based in the US, and Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland announced that they would impose a complete ban on the entry of Russian citizens into their countries from September 19.

Such an unfriendly act of the US and the West is giving rise to the strong reaction of Russia.

With regard to the escalating sanctions against Russian citizens by the Biden administration, the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on September 5 to clarify its hardline position that it would add 20-odd American personages of political, business, academic and cultural circles, including the Secretary of Commerce and congressmen, in the list of prohibited entrants, and would continue to deal a decisive counterblow to the hostile acts of the US.

Shortly afterwards, on September 7, the Russian Foreign Ministry declared that it has added high-ranking military figures of the EU member states as well as the businessmen involved in arms support to Ukraine to the list of prohibited entrants as part of the countermeasure to the unfriendly acts of the EU which had imposed sanctions to individuals and organizations of Russia.

Now, the foreign media and analysts predict that this fierce diplomatic friction will not be settled easily as the US and the West remain unchanged in their strategic goal to isolate and weaken Russia for their hegemony, and there has existed deep-rooted mistrust and hostility historically among these countries.

More From Pyongyang Times

EU warns US against military invasion of Greenland

EU warns US against military invasion of Greenland

A high-ranking official of the European Union warned on January 12 that the US’ military invasion of Greenland would cause the

January 17, 2026

A high-ranking official of the European Union warned on January 12 that the US’ military invasion of Greenland would cause the

Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un receives New Year greetings from abroad

Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un receives New Year greetings from abroad

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received congratulatory messages and letters from different countries on the occasion of the New

January 17, 2026

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received congratulatory messages and letters from different countries on the occasion of the New

Young people pay floral tribute at statues of great leaders

Young people pay floral tribute at statues of great leaders

The participants in the celebrations of the 80th founding anniversary of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League visited the statues

January 17, 2026

The participants in the celebrations of the 80th founding anniversary of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League visited the statues

New houses built in North Hwanghae Province

New houses built in North Hwanghae Province

At a time when a new life of socialist cultural efflorescence blooms all over the DPRK every day, modern dwelling houses were

January 17, 2026

At a time when a new life of socialist cultural efflorescence blooms all over the DPRK every day, modern dwelling houses were

Performances strike a chord with people in 2025

Performances strike a chord with people in 2025

One of the abiding memories of 2025 of the Korean people is of the wonderful art performances which make them feel the great

January 17, 2026

One of the abiding memories of 2025 of the Korean people is of the wonderful art performances which make them feel the great

New houses built at farms in Kangwon Province

New houses built at farms in Kangwon Province

New socialist ideal farm villages have been built successively in Kangwon Province, giving pleasure to the people. Dwelling houses

January 16, 2026

New socialist ideal farm villages have been built successively in Kangwon Province, giving pleasure to the people. Dwelling houses

Iranian speaker rejects US’ military threat

Iranian speaker rejects US’ military threat

The speaker of the Iranian parliament decried and rejected the US’ military threat in his speech to the parliament on January 11.H

January 16, 2026

The speaker of the Iranian parliament decried and rejected the US’ military threat in his speech to the parliament on January 11.H

Young people grow more ebullient

Young people grow more ebullient

Young people across the DPRK were gripped by great emotion on the occasion of the New Year 2026. They were impressed by the fact

January 16, 2026

Young people across the DPRK were gripped by great emotion on the occasion of the New Year 2026. They were impressed by the fact

France and UN censure US

France and UN censure US

The French president criticized the US’ foreign policy on January 8. As regards the fact that the US decided to break from 66

January 15, 2026

The French president criticized the US’ foreign policy on January 8. As regards the fact that the US decided to break from 66

Japanese newspaper decries US’ recklessness

Japanese newspaper decries US’ recklessness

The Tokyo Shimbun on January 9 carried an article titled “US threat and blackmail out of common sense” denouncing the reckless mov

January 15, 2026

The Tokyo Shimbun on January 9 carried an article titled “US threat and blackmail out of common sense” denouncing the reckless mov

Art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan leaves Pyongyang

Art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan leaves Pyongyang

The art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan led by Ri Chol Su, principal of Toshun Korean Primary School, left Pyongyang on

January 15, 2026

The art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan led by Ri Chol Su, principal of Toshun Korean Primary School, left Pyongyang on

National sci-tech diffusion system in full operation

National sci-tech diffusion system in full operation

Science and technology are being diffused widely in the DPRK with the Sci-Tech Complex as the hub. Modern regional-industry

January 15, 2026

Science and technology are being diffused widely in the DPRK with the Sci-Tech Complex as the hub. Modern regional-industry

Natural functional cosmetic beautifies skin

Natural functional cosmetic beautifies skin

Haemoglobin cosmetic is now popular among many women. Developed by the Pyongyang Cosmetics Factory, this product is applicable to

January 15, 2026

Haemoglobin cosmetic is now popular among many women. Developed by the Pyongyang Cosmetics Factory, this product is applicable to

More Articles