Senators Propose Labeling Russia as State Sponsor of Terrorism
Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., announced June 20 that they are introducing a bill to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism.
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At a press conference, the senators said Russia should receive the label for many reasons, including its mass executions of Ukrainian civilians, its new defense agreement with North Korea, its destabilizing activities in Africa and its repression of journalists and political dissidents. Russia would join a list that consists of Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria.
“Russia deserves to be in this small, selective club of atrocity-committing killers,” Blumenthal asserted.
While the designation would strengthen sanctions against Russia, it also would send a message to the world that “is as important in a moral sense as any practical consequence,” Blumenthal said. The designation also would allow Russia’s victims to use U.S. courts to seek justice, Graham said.
The proposed designation is intended complement other efforts to counter Russia, including providing arms to Ukraine’s military and enacting legislation in April to authorize seizing frozen Russian central bank assets in the U.S. to help rebuild Ukraine (see 2405210064).
“This would open up yet another front” against Russia, Graham said. “It would make Russia even more of a pariah state.”
Blumenthal said he has discussed the legislation with the Biden administration, which is “certainly sympathetic to the goals” of the measure. “We’ve worked on some specifics; we’re going to continue to work with them,” he added. The White House didn't respond to a request for comment.
A State Department spokesperson said in September 2022 that designating Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism wouldn't be “the most effective or strongest path forward to hold Russia accountable" and could have "unintended consequences," including complicating efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Ukraine (see 2209070083).