Russia continues to push for the diplomatic legitimization of temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories — this time through Nicaragua. The so-called “DPR government” is preparing to sign an agreement on trade and economic cooperation with Nicaragua’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Officially, it is presented as an effort to “develop cooperation between economic entities,” but in reality, it serves to cement Russia’s presence in Donbas through international channels.
The signing of the document is scheduled for September 24–27, 2025, during a visit by a Nicaraguan delegation to Moscow. The agreement is part of the Kremlin’s broader campaign — a “parade of diplomacy for occupied regions” — which pursues three main goals:
- to create the illusion of international support for the occupation;
- to establish channels for bypassing sanctions and exchanging security services;
- to strengthen Russia’s influence in Central America.
Nicaragua has already taken steps in this direction: on July 31, 2025, the country officially recognized the “accession” of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions to the Russian Federation. This move constitutes a direct violation of international law, including the principle of non-recognition of annexations and the resolutions of the UN General Assembly.
Crimea, Sevastopol, and the temporarily occupied territories of Donbas, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia are and will remain part of the Ukrainian state. Any “agreements” made with pseudo-institutions in these territories are legally null and void.
Nicaragua’s involvement in such actions may have consequences: organizations and officials complicit in legitimizing the occupation risk facing international sanctions.
