January 14, 2026Jan 14, 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

Russia warns West against deploying armed forces in Ukraine

Russia warns West against deploying armed forces in Ukraine

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on January 8 warned the West against deploying armed forces in Ukraine.

January 13, 2026

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on January 8 warned the West against deploying armed forces in Ukraine.

Student with remarkable memory

Student with remarkable memory

The Sixth Memory Contest of University Students took place last year bringing together excellent students selected from different

January 13, 2026

The Sixth Memory Contest of University Students took place last year bringing together excellent students selected from different

New villages built in South Hwanghae Province

New villages built in South Hwanghae Province

At a time when new villages are springing up across the DPRK, new houses have been built at the Yaksan Farm in Songhwa County and

January 13, 2026

At a time when new villages are springing up across the DPRK, new houses have been built at the Yaksan Farm in Songhwa County and

Sci-tech research findings give impetus to economic growth

Sci-tech research findings give impetus to economic growth

2025 was a year when the DPRK powerfully promoted its economic development on the strength of science and technology. Scientific

January 13, 2026

2025 was a year when the DPRK powerfully promoted its economic development on the strength of science and technology. Scientific

Groundbreaking means inauguration

Groundbreaking means inauguration

The phrase “Groundbreaking means inauguration” was coined in the DPRK as lots of edifices for the well-being of the people are

January 13, 2026

The phrase “Groundbreaking means inauguration” was coined in the DPRK as lots of edifices for the well-being of the people are

Dear father

Dear father

The Korean people uphold and follow the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un as their dear father. He is the father of the great family

January 12, 2026

The Korean people uphold and follow the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un as their dear father. He is the father of the great family

KCNA commentary on neo-militarism of Japan

KCNA commentary on neo-militarism of Japan

From the outset of the new year, the present ultra-right ruling forces of Japan are adding a serious danger to the security

January 12, 2026

From the outset of the new year, the present ultra-right ruling forces of Japan are adding a serious danger to the security

Danish prime minister decries US’ attempt to annex Greenland

Danish prime minister decries US’ attempt to annex Greenland

The Danish prime minister rejected the US’ attempt to annex Greenland in a radio interview on January 5.As regards the US chief ex

January 12, 2026

The Danish prime minister rejected the US’ attempt to annex Greenland in a radio interview on January 5.As regards the US chief ex

EU makes stand on Greenland

EU makes stand on Greenland

A spokesman for the EU Commission on January 5 took a stand against the US ruler’s remarks revealing the intention to gain

January 12, 2026

A spokesman for the EU Commission on January 5 took a stand against the US ruler’s remarks revealing the intention to gain

Self-sustenance and self-determination

Self-sustenance and self-determination

means devising one’s way to live by one’s own determination and efforts without relying on others. The DPRK’s history of

January 12, 2026

means devising one’s way to live by one’s own determination and efforts without relying on others. The DPRK’s history of

Top 10 players, coaches for 2025 announced in DPRK

Top 10 players, coaches for 2025 announced in DPRK

A meeting with sportspersons who won the international games in 2025 was held on January 9. Present there were Kim Il Guk,

January 12, 2026

A meeting with sportspersons who won the international games in 2025 was held on January 9. Present there were Kim Il Guk,

Officials conduct first Friday labour

Officials conduct first Friday labour

Officials of ministries and national agencies in the DPRK did the first Friday labour of the new year at farms in Pyongyang on

January 12, 2026

Officials of ministries and national agencies in the DPRK did the first Friday labour of the new year at farms in Pyongyang on

Farmers move into new houses in South Phyongan Province

Farmers move into new houses in South Phyongan Province

New houses have been built in Sambong-ri of Phyongwon County and Yonphung-ri of Anju City, South Phyongan Province. Attending the

January 12, 2026

New houses have been built in Sambong-ri of Phyongwon County and Yonphung-ri of Anju City, South Phyongan Province. Attending the

Factory steadily increases production

Factory steadily increases production

The Phyongsong Synthetic Leather Factory overfulfilled its yearly plan and produced hundreds of thousands of square metres of more

January 12, 2026

The Phyongsong Synthetic Leather Factory overfulfilled its yearly plan and produced hundreds of thousands of square metres of more

Mexican president denounces US’ interference

Mexican president denounces US’ interference

The Mexican president rejected the US’ attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of her country at a press conference on Januar

January 11, 2026

The Mexican president rejected the US’ attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of her country at a press conference on Januar

Winners of Communist Mother Honour Prize (2)

Winners of Communist Mother Honour Prize (2)

Han Yong Sun, winner of the Communist Mother Honour Prize living in Musan County of North Hamgyong Province, was a well-known

January 11, 2026

Han Yong Sun, winner of the Communist Mother Honour Prize living in Musan County of North Hamgyong Province, was a well-known

New Year celebrations of Koreans in China

New Year celebrations of Koreans in China

The General Association of Koreans in China held celebrations on the occasion of the New Year 2026. Officials and members of the

January 11, 2026

The General Association of Koreans in China held celebrations on the occasion of the New Year 2026. Officials and members of the

Cement production goes up

Cement production goes up

Cement production units in the DPRK have increased production since the beginning of the year. The Sangwon Cement Complex carried

January 11, 2026

Cement production units in the DPRK have increased production since the beginning of the year. The Sangwon Cement Complex carried

More Articles