When I see real-life examples of people treating the head of the “Palestinian Authority” like a legitimate leader of a real country even though his “nation” doesn’t exist, I’m reminded of the Woody Allen movie “What’s Up, Tiger Lily?”
In that film, a character with the title “Grand Exalted High Majah of Raspur” told everyone that although Raspur is “a nonexistent but real-sounding country”, he plans to incorporate it into a real country as soon as possible, and is looking into opportunities to be given some land for that purpose.
If only Russia recognizes it, it can survive. Transdniestria has survived for over a quarter of a century with Moscow’s support.