March 13, 2026Mar 13, 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 Finland against lifting of ban on nuke deployment

Russia warns Finland against lifting of ban on nuke deployment

Russian presidential press secretary Dmitri Peskov at a press conference on March 6 gave Finland a warning as to its announcement

March 12, 2026

Russian presidential press secretary Dmitri Peskov at a press conference on March 6 gave Finland a warning as to its announcement

25th Winter Paralympics open

25th Winter Paralympics open

The 25th Winter Paralympics opened in Italy on March 6. At the opening ceremony held on the theme of “Active life”, the

March 12, 2026

The 25th Winter Paralympics opened in Italy on March 6. At the opening ceremony held on the theme of “Active life”, the

Destroyer Choe Hyon conducts test-fire of strategic cruise missiles

Destroyer Choe Hyon conducts test-fire of strategic cruise missiles

Amid the continued tests of operational efficiency of the destroyer Choe Hyon of the Navy of the Korean People's Army, a strategic

March 11, 2026

Amid the continued tests of operational efficiency of the destroyer Choe Hyon of the Navy of the Korean People's Army, a strategic

Russian FM censures West for hostile policy

Russian FM censures West for hostile policy

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov denounced the West’s policy hostile toward his country on March 5. The aim of the

March 11, 2026

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov denounced the West’s policy hostile toward his country on March 5. The aim of the

DPRK team advances to quarterfinals of 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup

DPRK team advances to quarterfinals of 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup

The 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup is under way in Australia.Divided into three groups, twelve teams play league matches, and winners

March 11, 2026

The 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup is under way in Australia.Divided into three groups, twelve teams play league matches, and winners

China decries Australia's infringement of sovereignty

China decries Australia's infringement of sovereignty

A spokesman for the Chinese Defense Ministry at a press conference on March 6 expressed the stand to safeguard the national

March 11, 2026

A spokesman for the Chinese Defense Ministry at a press conference on March 6 expressed the stand to safeguard the national

Emulation among regional-industry factories intensifies

Emulation among regional-industry factories intensifies

Production is going on at the modern regional-industry factories built as the first outcomes of the regional development policy of

March 11, 2026

Production is going on at the modern regional-industry factories built as the first outcomes of the regional development policy of

Efforts to conserve biodiversity

Efforts to conserve biodiversity

The Kazakh government recently announced a plan for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The plan reflects the

March 10, 2026

The Kazakh government recently announced a plan for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The plan reflects the

AFC Women’s Football Day marked in DPRK

AFC Women’s Football Day marked in DPRK

An event took place at the Rungna People’s Sports Park in Pyongyang on March 8 to mark the AFC Women’s Football Day.Present there

March 10, 2026

An event took place at the Rungna People’s Sports Park in Pyongyang on March 8 to mark the AFC Women’s Football Day.Present there

National meeting commemorates 116th March 8 Int'l Women's Day

National meeting commemorates 116th March 8 Int'l Women's Day

A national meeting took place at the People's Palace of Culture in Pyongyang on March 18, the 116th International Women's Day.

March 10, 2026

A national meeting took place at the People's Palace of Culture in Pyongyang on March 18, the 116th International Women's Day.

National inter-provincial riding contest held

National inter-provincial riding contest held

The National Inter-provincial Riding Contest-2026 was held at the Mirim Riding Club in Pyongyang, the capital of the DPRK, to mark

March 10, 2026

The National Inter-provincial Riding Contest-2026 was held at the Mirim Riding Club in Pyongyang, the capital of the DPRK, to mark

Int'l Women's Day commemorated

Int'l Women's Day commemorated

Women across the DPRK commemorated the 116th March 8 International Women's Day. Many people visited the Kumsusan Palace of the

March 10, 2026

Women across the DPRK commemorated the 116th March 8 International Women's Day. Many people visited the Kumsusan Palace of the

Dance parties of women’s union officials and members held

Dance parties of women’s union officials and members held

A dance party of women’s union officials and members took place at the plaza of the Arch of Triumph in Pyongyang on March 8, the 1

March 10, 2026

A dance party of women’s union officials and members took place at the plaza of the Arch of Triumph in Pyongyang on March 8, the 1

Landscaping pushed in rural residential areas

Landscaping pushed in rural residential areas

According to data available, well over 70 000 tall trees of dozens of species including zelkova, Korean spruce and white birch

March 10, 2026

According to data available, well over 70 000 tall trees of dozens of species including zelkova, Korean spruce and white birch

Mass rallies held in cities and counties

Mass rallies held in cities and counties

Mass rallies took place in cities and counties of the DPRK on March 6 and 7 to vow to implement the decisions of the Ninth

March 09, 2026

Mass rallies took place in cities and counties of the DPRK on March 6 and 7 to vow to implement the decisions of the Ninth

More Articles