Yep. Its all PR. After all, let's not forget Hitler recognized Poland and Czechoslovakia too before he swallowed up those countries. And then the North Vietnamese made similar pledges about South Vietnam. A country can promise to the moon but the only thing that matters in life is its actions. A nation's word only goes so far and can easily be broken if its interests are advanced by doing so.
(Denny Crane: "Every one should carry a gun strapped to their waist. We need more - not less guns.")