Two US Senators said on Tuesday they will be introducing a resolution to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism over its war on Ukraine, calling Russian President Vladimir Putin a terrorist.
“Last week, the Ukrainian parliament took a vote urging the US Congress to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. So, we heard their plea and we're answering their request. Today we will be introducing a resolution urging the Secretary of State and the Biden administration to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism because they are,” Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said at a press conference.
He added: “The hope is that we can take this resolution and put it in the Ukraine supplemental, because I think it does two things. It sends a strong message to the people of Ukraine, we listen to you, and we agree that the person who is destroying your country, who's murdering, raping and killing your citizens runs a nation that is a state sponsor of terrorism. And we're also letting the Russian people know that our fight is not with you, but is with Putin.”
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Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal said: “If there is anybody who embodies terrorism and totalitarianism and torture, it is Vladimir Putin. And Russia, unfortunately, is in his hands. And so, this resolution is absolutely appropriate and it will put Russia outside the pale of civilized nations.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had asked US President Joe Biden to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism in mid-April.
The US currently designates four countries as state sponsors of terrorism: Iran, Syria, North Korea and Cuba.
Graham added: “Putin has challenged the world. He's put in question everything we believe in. If he's still standing when this is over and he's not labelled a state sponsor of terrorism, we've missed a mark. Every law on the books regarding war crimes have been violated. Every international norm has been turned upside down. For 20 years, he's literally gotten away with murder. Now it's time to designate him in a fashion befitting his conduct. He is a terrorist and Russia is in the hands of a terrorist state run by Putin.”
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