Resolution seeks designation of Russia as state sponsor of terrorism

U.S. Reps. Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Ted Lieu (D-CA) recently introduced a resolution advocating the Secretary of State to designate the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism.

The resolution outlines how the Russian Federation has and continues to promote acts of international terrorism against political opponents and nation states worldwide.

“The world is painfully aware of war criminal Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent and ongoing bloodbath that has already resulted in the death of unknown thousands of Ukrainian civilians and soldiers,” Wilson said. “However, Russia’s involvement in international terrorism is more expansive and has been well documented for years, whether through direct attacks or orchestrated through private military networks and hired thugs. Their reign of terror must stop, and this designation is one way to formally and collectively recognize what they have done against humanity.”

Currently, Cuba, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), Iran, and Syria are designated as state sponsors of terrorism.

“Ukraine will remain a free, sovereign, and independent nation thanks to a coalition of countries led by the United States committed to democracy and opposing Russian aggression,” Lieu said. “But there is more we can do to support Ukrainian efforts to defend their country in what is looking to be a protracted war. By designating Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism, the United States would be able to ban dual-use exports to Russia and take economic action against other countries that do business with Russia.”