The Ukrainian government on Friday rejected the recognition, made by Nicaragua through Daniel Ortega’s regime, of Russia’s occupation of certain Ukrainian territories.
The rejection was expressed in a press statement by Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which stated that if such recognition is confirmed, it “will consider such actions as a serious violation of international law”.
In the letter, Ukraine cited Nicaragua’s violation of the “Purposes and Principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the resolutions of the UN General Assembly, and Nicaragua’s international obligations”.
Ukraine also stated it reserves the right to respond in a manner consistent “with the unprecedented level of hostile actions”.
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“Ukraine demands an official and immediate denial from the Nicaraguan authorities regarding the media reports if they are untrue. If there is no prompt refutation, the Ukrainian side will interpret it as confirmation of the truth of the information, with all the consequences that entails”, added the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.
Ukraine also emphasized that such recognition of the occupation of its territories contradicts UN General Assembly Resolution 3314 (XXIX), which establishes that the definition of aggression does not permit the legitimization of territories acquired through aggression.
What Did Nicaragua Say?
On Thursday, the Ortega regime recognized, through a letter sent to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russia’s occupation of the regions of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia.
“In the name of the government and people of Nicaragua, we express our full support and complete recognition of the regions of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia as an integral part of the territory of the Russian Federation», the regime said, as cited by pro-government outlet 19 Digital.
The dictators also defended “the heroic battle that Russia is waging against Ukrainian neo-Nazism, which is backed by NATO”.
Rosario Murillo, Nicaragua’s co-dictator, commented on the matter Thursday, stating that Russia thanked Nicaragua for its recognition and support of the occupation of the territories.
Murillo mentioned during her usual midday speech that this “expression of gratitude” was made during a meeting of the Forum Movement of Supporters Against Neoliberalism, attended by Ortega regime officials Laureano Ortega, Iván Lara, and Orlando Tardencilla.
Ukraine: Recognition Is Legally Null
Ukraine emphasized that recognition by third countries, such as Nicaragua, “is legally null and void, without legal value or effect”.
It reiterated that the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol, and the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia “were and remain an integral part of Ukrainian territory”.
The Ukrainian government also recalled the sanctions it imposed on Nicaragua after Ortega’s regime opened an honorary consulate in Simferopol, which was occupied by Russia.
