Nicaragua to sign friendship deal with Russian-occupied Donetsk region
Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.
At a glance
- Nicaragua will sign a friendship agreement with the Russian-occupied Ukrainian region of Donetsk.
- President Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo have granted their son, Laureano Facundo Ortega Murillo, power to sign the deal.
- Nicaragua has previously recognized Russian control over Ukrainian territories and criticized Ukraine as an
Nicaragua's government is set to sign a friendship agreement with Donetsk, a region in Ukraine currently occupied by Russia. The official newspaper La Gaceta reported that President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo have authorized their son, Laureano Facundo Ortega Murillo, to finalize the deal.
Laureano Facundo Ortega Murillo, who also serves as the presidential advisor for Investment, Trade, and International Cooperation, will sign the "Agreement for the establishment of relations of friendship between the municipal formation of the Donetsk Urban District of the Donetsk People's Republic (Russian Federation) and the city of Managua." This move solidifies Nicaragua's alignment with Russia on the international stage.
The Government of Nicaragua will sign a friendship agreement with Russia over the Ukrainian region of Donetsk occupied by Moscow.
Earlier in May, the presidential advisor had strongly criticized Ukraine's government, labeling it an "illegitimate puppet" of NATO. He reaffirmed Nicaragua's "brotherhood" and "solidarity" with Russia's "firm" battle "against the fascism that wants to resurge in Ukraine." He also stated Nicaragua's support for Russia in establishing a "new world order" that challenges "hegemonism" and promotes "multipolarity."
The illegitimate government of Ukraine is a puppet of NATO.
Laureano Facundo Ortega Murillo, who faces sanctions from the United States and the European Union for alleged human rights violations and support of fraudulent elections, has been increasingly delegated by his parents to sign cooperation agreements with countries like China, Russia, and Belarus. This appointment bypasses Nicaragua's foreign ministers.
Nicaragua's stance on the conflict has been consistent since July 2025, when it expressed certainty of a Russian victory and recognized Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia as Russian territory. In response, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga announced the severance of diplomatic ties with Nicaragua in October following its recognition of Russian "sovereignty" over occupied Ukrainian regions.
We are with the Government of Russia in the formation of that new world order, facing hegemonism and fighting for multipolarity for that world where we all have the right to develop under our own conditions, cultures, and principles.
Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.