Ukraine responds to Russia’s statements about sanctions against Nicaragua

Ukraine on Friday responded to Russian Foreign Ministry’s statement calling the Ukrainian sanctions against Nicaragua over the illegal opening of a consulate in Crimea as “act of despair.”

The appointment of an honorary consul of Nicaragua in Russian-occupied Crimea has grossly violated Ukrainian law and international law, and sanctions have been imposed in response, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko wrote on Twitter.

“The ‘act of despair’ is Russia’s constant attempts to convince at least someone in the world that Crimea and Sevastopol are allegedly part of the Russian Federation. The appointment of an honorary consul of Nicaragua has grossly violated Ukrainian law and international law,” Nikolenko said.

Earlier, at a briefing on February 4, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova called Ukraine’s decision to impose sanctions on Nicaragua “an act of despair” and said it “looks ridiculous.”

As reported, on February 2, the Ukrainian parliament adopted draft resolution “On approval of the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine of February 1, 2021 ‘On the application of sectoral special economic and other restrictive measures (sanctions) to the Republic of Nicaragua’.”