Ukraine has severed diplomatic relations with Nicaragua after Managua recognized Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories as part of Russia, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry announced on 3 October 2025.
The ministry condemned Nicaragua's decision to recognize Crimea and parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts as Russian territory.
"We view this decision as an attempt to undermine Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity by Managua, a gross violation of the UN Charter and fundamental norms and principles of international law," the ministry reported.
The ministry declared Nicaragua's recognition of the Russian occupation administrations in these oblasts "null and void" with no legal consequences, saying it will not change Ukraine's internationally recognized borders.
According to the ministry, Nicaragua's regime has systematically violated commitments made in documents establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries. Those documents specified that Nicaragua's government would maintain relations with Ukraine "based on the principles of friendship, cooperation, and mutual respect, as well as in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and generally recognized norms of international law."
The ministry pointed to Nicaragua's support for Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine, attempts to legitimize the forcible seizure of Ukrainian territory, official recognition of the so-called "DNR" and "LNR," and the opening of an illegal "honorary consulate of Nicaragua" in temporarily occupied Crimea as evidence of Managua's political alignment with the aggressor state and direct financial and political dependence on Moscow.
"This decisive diplomatic step demonstrates that Ukraine will continue to respond with maximum severity to any attempts to encroach on its sovereignty and territorial integrity. We will not allow any infringement on our statehood and will take all necessary measures to protect our independence, security, and inviolability of borders," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said.
Ukraine previously imposed sectoral sanctions against Nicaragua in 2020 following the opening of Nicaragua's honorary consulate in Russian-occupied Simferopol.
In July 2025, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry responded to media reports about Nicaragua's leadership sending a message to Putin expressing full support and recognition of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts as an integral part of Russian territory. The ministry stated that if confirmed, Ukraine would consider such actions a gross violation of international law.
