Ukraine warns Nicaragua over recognition of Russian-occupied land
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine considers the statement by the President of Nicaragua about readiness to recognize the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories as part of Russia unacceptable. Nicaragua must retract its statement or not complain about the consequences later, according to an official comment from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has taken note of reports by leading international media outlets regarding a message from the leadership of the Republic of Nicaragua to Russian President Putin, expressing full support and recognition of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions of Ukraine as an integral part of Russia," the statement reads.
The Ministry noted that if this information is confirmed, Kyiv will consider such actions a gross violation of international law and Nicaragua's international obligations. Ukraine reserves the right to respond to unfriendly actions.
The Ministry also recalled that any attempt to "recognize" the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine as Russian contradicts UN General Assembly Resolution 3314 (XXIX) Definition of Aggression and Resolution ES-11/4 of October 12, 2022. These documents explicitly call on states not to recognize any occupation of Ukrainian territory by Russia.
"The Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol, as well as the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions were and remain an integral part of the territory of Ukraine. Any so-called referendums, consultations, or statements by Russian forces, as well as any recognition of these illegal actions by third states, are legally null and void and do not create any legal consequences," the statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
The Ministry added that sectoral sanctions were already imposed against Nicaragua in 2020 after it opened an "honorary consulate" in the temporarily occupied city of Simferopol.
Nicaragua now has a choice: either immediately refute the media reports about the "recognition of territories" if they are indeed false, or face serious consequences.
"The absence of such a refutation in the near future will be considered by the Ukrainian side as confirmation of the authenticity of these reports, with all corresponding consequences," the Ministry warned.
Central America's Orbán
On July 31, media reports indicated that the government of Nicaragua recognized the temporarily occupied territories of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson as part of Russia. A corresponding letter was sent to Russian President Vladimir Putin by his longtime ally and associate, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega.
Nicaragua has maintained close cooperation with the Russian regime for many years. Ortega's regime has effectively been in place since 1985. He served as president from 1985 to 1990, and again from 2006 to the present day. Under the rule of this Putin ally, Nicaragua has become significantly impoverished.
