Nicaragua has officially recognized the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR), as well as the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions as full-fledged parts of the Russian Federation. This was stated in a letter addressed to President Vladimir Putin by Nicaragua’s co-presidents Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, published on the El 19 Digital government portal.
"On behalf of the government and people of Nicaragua, we express our full support and recognition of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia as integral parts of the Russian Federation," the letter said.
Ortega and Murillo emphasized their backing of Russia’s struggle against what they described as “Ukrainian neo-Nazism supported by NATO.” The co-presidents conveyed solidarity with Russian families who had “sacrificed the lives of their loved ones in defense of the Russian people and world peace.”
"We are confident in Russia's victory over these forces of evil, over hegemonic powers, over fascism. Russia’s victory is humanity’s victory," Ortega and Murillo declared.
The letter underscores Nicaragua’s close alignment with Moscow in the ongoing geopolitical standoff. Nicaragua has consistently supported Russian positions in international forums, often voting against Western-sponsored resolutions on Ukraine.
Background on the Territorial Status
The four regions — DPR, LPR, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia — were formally incorporated into the Russian Federation on September 30, 2022, following referendums held between September 23 and 27. The results of these votes, deemed illegitimate by Kyiv and its Western allies, were cited by Moscow as the legal basis for annexation.
Russia maintains that the referendums reflected the will of the people, while Ukraine and NATO countries have denounced them as violations of international law and Ukrainian sovereignty.
Nicaragua’s Role in the Global Arena
By formally recognizing these territories, Nicaragua becomes one of the few countries in the Western Hemisphere to endorse Russia’s actions in Ukraine. The country has long maintained a strategic partnership with Moscow, dating back to the Cold War.
Today’s recognition reinforces Russia’s narrative of a multipolar world order, where non-Western countries openly challenge Washington’s and Brussels’ geopolitical positions.
