ANKARA

 One of the pro-Russian authorities in eastern Ukraine has recognized the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, the authority said on Tuesday.

The Donetsk People’s Republic and the Luhansk People’s Republic broke from Ukraine in April last year as fighting broke out in the former Soviet territory. Neither is recognized by the international community and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has pledged to regain control of the region.

Abkhazia and South Ossetia declared independence from Georgia after the disintegration of the Soviet Union. The Russia-aligned entities are also recognized by Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Nauru.

In a statement, the Donetsk Foreign Ministry said President Aleksandar Zaharcenko signed the decree recognizing Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Foreign Minister Aleksandr Kofman said: “Donetsk has helped the people of Abkhazia and South Ossetia during the periods they were at war.”

South Ossetia recognized the Donetsk and Luhansk entities in June 2014 while Luhansk recognized South Ossetia in January.