On Wednesday, the European Parliament declared Russia a state sponsor of terrorism on the grounds that its military operations against civilian targets in Ukraine, such as hospitals, schools, and shelters, were illegal under international law.
European legislators supported a resolution that referred to Russia as a state supporter of terrorism.
Since the European Union lacks a supporting legal system, the action is essentially symbolic. As a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the bloc has already imposed hitherto unheard-of sanctions on the country.
Moscow responded fiercely to the decision made by the European Parliament.
Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Russian foreign ministry, posted on Telegram, “I suggest labelling the European Parliament as a sponsor of foolishness.”
European legislators supported a resolution that referred to Russia as a state supporter of terrorism.
Since the European Union lacks a supporting legal system, the action is essentially symbolic. As a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the bloc has already imposed hitherto unheard-of sanctions on the country.
Moscow responded fiercely to the decision made by the European Parliament.
Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Russian foreign ministry, posted on Telegram, “I suggest labelling the European Parliament as a sponsor of foolishness.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy welcomed the European Parliament’s decision.
“Russia must be isolated at all levels and held accountable in order to end its long-standing policy of terrorism in Ukraine and across the globe,” he wrote on Twitter.
“Russia must be isolated at all levels and held accountable in order to end its long-standing policy of terrorism in Ukraine and across the globe,” he wrote on Twitter.
Zelenskiy has encouraged the US and other nations to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism, alleging that Moscow’s security services are deliberately targeting civilians, a charge Moscow vigorously refutes.
Despite resolutions in both chambers of Congress pushing him to do so, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has so far declined to add Russia on the list.
Cuba, North Korea, Iran, and Syria are currently listed by the U.S. State Department as state sponsors of terrorism, making them subject to financial and a defence export prohibition.
According to the European Parliamentary Research Service, the parliaments of four EU nations—Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Poland—have so far identified Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism.
Despite resolutions in both chambers of Congress pushing him to do so, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has so far declined to add Russia on the list.
Cuba, North Korea, Iran, and Syria are currently listed by the U.S. State Department as state sponsors of terrorism, making them subject to financial and a defence export prohibition.
According to the European Parliamentary Research Service, the parliaments of four EU nations—Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Poland—have so far identified Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism.
