Central American country recognizes new Russian regions

Nicaragua has proclaimed its “firm support” for Moscow’s fight against Ukrainian neo-Nazism

Nicaragua fully supports Moscow in its conflict with Kiev and now recognizes the incorporation of four formerly Ukrainian regions into Russia, the country’s Co-Presidents Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo have announced.

The country’s leadership made the announcement on Wednesday in an open letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin which was circulated by local media.

The husband and wife co-presidents said the country’s government and its people “recognize and firmly support the heroic battle Russia is waging against Ukrainian neo-Nazism which is supported by NATO.”

“We stand in solidarity with the Russian Families who have sacrificed the Lives of their Loved Ones in defense of the Russian People and World Peace. We are certain of Russia's victory against these evil forces, against the hegemonic powers, against fascism. The victory of Russia is the victory of humanity,” the letter reads.

The co-presidents expressed their “full support and full recognition of the Donetsk, Kherson, Lugansk, and Zaporozhye regions” as integral parts of Russia. The territories were incorporated into the country in late 2022 after the idea was overwhelmingly backed by the local population during a series of referendums.

The announcement elicited an angry reaction from Kiev, with Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry demanding that Nicaragua further elaborate on the matter, either confirming the recognition of the territories or explicitly refuting it.

“The absence of such a refutation in the near future will be regarded by the Ukrainian side as confirmation of the veracity of such media reports, with all the ensuing consequences,” the ministry warned.

Nicaragua has long backed Russia in the standoff against Ukraine. Managua recognized Crimea’s reunification with Russia in 2014 when it voted to part ways with Kiev following the Euromaidan coup.

In 2020, Kiev slapped sanctions on Managua after it opened a consulate in Crimea. The restrictions, however, didn't affect Nicaragua’s position; the country established a trade and economic partnership with the Russian peninsula the next year, and has further expanded cooperation despite ongoing hostilities.