Nicaragua signs cooperation deal with Russia’s annexed Ukrainian regions despite global condemnation
Nicaragua has formalised cooperation agreements with four Ukrainian regions annexed by Russia and the Crimean city of Sevastopol, deepening its alignment with Moscow despite international condemnation of the territories’ status.
The deal was signed in Moscow on Monday by Laureano Ortega Murillo, Nicaragua’s special envoy for cooperation with Russia and the son of President Daniel Ortega.
At the ceremony, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov praised the move as “a truly friendly step in the spirit of a genuine strategic partnership”, framing it as evidence of growing interest from the Global South and East in strengthening ties with Russia’s newly claimed territories.
Ortega Murillo described the agreements as an “honour”, expressing solidarity with the regions he said had “endured fascist attacks against their peoples and cultures” and had “exercised their historic right” to join the Russian Federation. He also stressed the “historic brotherhood” between Nicaragua and Russia, promising closer cooperation across multiple sectors.
The accords underscore Nicaragua’s status as one of Moscow’s closest allies in Latin America at a time when most of the international community continues to reject Russia’s annexations of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. The United Nations has deemed the moves illegal under international law, and Western governments have imposed sanctions on both Russia and entities cooperating with its territorial claims.
By openly engaging with Russia’s annexed regions, Nicaragua further isolates itself from Western partners while consolidating its place in Moscow’s network of global allies willing to challenge international norms on sovereignty and territorial integrity.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
