European Parliament Prepares Resolution to Designate Russia as a 'Sponsor of Terrorism'

Members of the European Parliament will vote on a draft resolution on November 23, declaring Russia a state sponsor of terrorism. This information was reported by the European Council website, according to RTVI.

The report explains that during military operations on Ukrainian territory, Russian forces have 'struck civilian objects, including energy infrastructure, hospitals, medical facilities, schools, and shelters, violating international law and international humanitarian law.'

The authors of the resolution, proposing to designate Russia as a 'state sponsor of terrorism', aim to 'prepare the ground' for further criminal prosecution of Russian authorities. The document has been discussed at the plenary session in October, as noted on the European Parliament's website.

The explanatory note for the upcoming vote states that Russia's actions in Ukraine 'grossly violate international law and lead to mass casualties.'

The European Parliament has noted that there is no internationally agreed definition of terrorism; however, the EU Council has defined terrorist crimes as criminal acts committed to intimidate the population and destabilize or destroy a country’s fundamental political, constitutional, economic, or social structures.

At the same time, as emphasized by European Commissioner Ilva Johansson in her speech at the plenary session on October 18, there is currently no legal basis in the European Union to recognize a third country as a state supporting terrorism.

The U.S. State Department maintains its list of state sponsors of terrorism, currently including four countries that, according to the Department, 'consistently support international terrorist activities': Syria (since 1979), Iran (since 1984), North Korea (since 2017), and Cuba (re-listed in 2021). Previously, Iraq, Sudan, and Libya were also on this list.

These listed countries are subject to restrictions on U.S. aid, banning the export and sale of defense articles, specific oversight over the export of dual-use goods, and various financial and other sanctions. Additionally, secondary sanctions are imposed on countries that cooperate with the listed states.

The U.S. has already introduced a bill in both chambers of Congress to include Russia on the list of state sponsors of terrorism. If passed, U.S. citizens would be able to file claims against Russia seeking compensation for its actions in other countries, including Ukraine. These compensations would theoretically be paid from frozen Russian assets in the U.S.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has indicated it may sever diplomatic ties with the U.S. in this case and emphasized that including Russia on the list of sponsors of terrorism contradicts international law.

On October 18, the Estonian Parliament recognized Russia as a 'state sponsor of terrorism.' In August, Latvia's Saeima declared Russia an 'aiding country of terrorism.' In mid-October, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted a resolution regarding a 'terrorist regime.'