**Nicaragua on the Brink of Recognizing Russia’s Annexation of Ukrainian Territories**
In a move that has raised eyebrows in the international community, Nicaragua’s government appears ready to recognize Russia’s claim over four Ukrainian oblasts currently under partial occupation. According to a letter sent by Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega to Russian President Vladimir Putin on July 30, the Central American country has signaled its support for what it calls Russia’s “heroic battle against Ukrainian neo-Nazism”.
This development is significant because if formalized, Nicaragua would become the first country to officially recognize Russia’s annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts. These territories were declared part of Russia by Moscow in 2022, but are still under partial occupation.
The language used in Ortega’s letter mirrors Russian propaganda narratives, echoing the Kremlin’s justification for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This is not surprising given Nicaragua’s close ties with Moscow in recent years. In 2020, it opened an honorary consulate in Russian-occupied Simferopol, Crimea, and later signed a trade and economic cooperation agreement with Russian-installed authorities in the same region.
**A Pattern of Support for Russia**
Nicaragua has consistently voted alongside Russia in UN resolutions condemning Moscow’s aggression, joining the ranks of countries like Belarus, North Korea, and Syria. This pattern of support suggests that Nicaragua is willing to buck international pressure and align itself with a country that has been widely condemned for its actions in Ukraine.
**The Annexation Dilemma**
Russia’s annexation of the four Ukrainian oblasts was followed by widely condemned referendums staged under occupation during Russia’s full-scale invasion. Despite this, Russian forces do not fully control any of these regions. Russia continues to occupy about 20% of Ukrainian territory, including the Crimean peninsula, which it illegally annexed in 2014.
**What Does This Mean for Nicaragua and Ukraine?**
If Nicaragua formally recognizes Russia’s annexation, it will be seen as a major blow to international efforts to isolate Moscow over its actions in Ukraine. For Ukraine, this development will likely add to the country’s sense of isolation and frustration with the international community’s inability to hold Russia accountable for its aggression.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
