Background on Nicaragua’s Role and Recent Developments
Nicaragua, a key ally of Russia and China in Central America, has recently signed commercial agreements with five Ukrainian regions currently occupied by Russia. These regions include Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Crimea.
Nicaragua’s Commercial Agreements with Occupied Ukrainian Regions
In September, Nicaragua, represented by Laureano Ortega Murillo (son of President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo, both allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin), signed these agreements in Moscow. The accords aim to export food and agricultural products to these regions.
Ukrainian Response and Severing Diplomatic Ties
In response to Nicaragua’s recognition of Russia’s claimed sovereignty over these Ukrainian territories, Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sibiga, announced the severing of diplomatic relations with Nicaragua on social media.
“Ucrania has officially broken off diplomatic relations with the Republic of Nicaragua,” Sibiga wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The Ukrainian minister explained that this decision was a reaction to Nicaragua’s deliberate attempt to undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Sibiga also denounced this action as a “serious violation of Ukraine’s Constitution, the UN Charter, and fundamental norms and principles of international law.”
Furthermore, Sibiga accused Nicaragua of being an accomplice to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, as Russian forces currently occupy approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory and claim sovereignty over the five mentioned regions.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main issue between Ukraine and Nicaragua? The primary concern is Nicaragua’s recognition of Russia’s claimed sovereignty over five Ukrainian regions occupied by Russia.
- Why did Ukraine sever diplomatic ties with Nicaragua? Ukraine took this step in response to Nicaragua’s actions that allegedly undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as being seen as an accomplice to Russia’s aggression.
- What are the commercial agreements signed by Nicaragua and Russia? Nicaragua and Russia signed accords in September to export food and agricultural products to Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Crimea regions in Ukraine.
- Who represented Nicaragua in signing these agreements? Laureano Ortega Murillo, son of Nicaragua’s president and vice president, represented Nicaragua in signing the agreements in Moscow.
