Moscow maybe Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said she would cut ties with Washington if US lawmakers decide to declare Russia a “terror sponsor country”. He noted that if Washington takes this decision, Moscow is ready for any development of the situation.
“Such an application of their own legislation, in violation of international law, could be seen by senators and congressmen as a terrible punishment that could force Russia to live according to the rules-based world order invented by the United States,” said Zakharova.
According to him, such an attitude towards Moscow is very naive, because “it is forgotten that any action will cause opposition and the logical consequence of such a step may be a rupture of diplomatic relations, after which Washington risks finally crossing Washington’s border. no refunds…”.
“We are ready for any development of the situation and we will survive if Washington decides to completely cease interaction with Moscow,” said Zakharova.
On June 21, Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation, said that the Kremlin “evaluates the consequences of such a step very negatively.” On the other hand, he noted that it is very difficult to do anything that could further disrupt relations between Russia and America, and that they are already in an unenviable position.
Recognition of Russia as a sponsor of terrorism was also requested in Ukraine, Latvia and Lithuania.
Senator Sergei Tsekov noted that such a move by Washington would only disrupt relations between the Russian Federation and the United States. Tsekov believes that most countries in Asia, Africa and the Middle East will not accept this step taken by America. Leonid Slutsky, chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Relations, said the United States would “only show its incompetence” if it gave Russia terrorist status.
State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said on the same occasion that “the entire history of the United States shows that they are constantly stealing, killing, destroying, bombing and, moreover, violating all international norms and rules.” He believes that most countries do not want the world to be unipolar, but the US wants to remain a hegemon in order to exploit other states.
“Accomplice and sponsor of terrorism”
US State Department spokesman Ned Price said in April that Washington was exploring the possibility of adding Russia to its list of “accomplices of terrorists.” CNN, citing a senior State Department official, said that at the time the ministry was considering all available means to “hold Russia accountable” for the situation in Ukraine.
“We examine the facts carefully. We examine the law carefully. <…> We will implement it if it is legally possible, effective and appropriate.”
A similar call was made to the United States by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on 27 June. He believes that “such a decision is absolutely necessary and should be supported by the entire democratic world”.
On June 28, French President Emmanuel Macron refused to recognize Russia as a sponsor of terrorism because “this is not a French technique” and international justice should deal with the situation.
On July 21, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi demanded that the State Department formally recognize Russia as a “sponsor of terror”, threatening to forward this resolution to Congress otherwise. On July 28, the US Senate passed a resolution calling on the State Department to recognize the Russian Federation as a sponsor of terrorism because of events in Chechnya, Georgia, Syria and Ukraine.
On July 30, The New York Times reported that US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken was not prepared to recognize Russia as a sponsor of terrorism, despite the Senate resolution and calls from influential politicians in the country. According to the publication, Blinken fears such a move will force Washington to impose sanctions on some allies that continue to do business with Russia.
In addition, such a move would make it difficult to maintain diplomatic relations with Moscow, even at the minimum that exists today.
On May 10, the Lithuanian Seimas recognized Russia as a state that “supports and conducts terrorism” in connection with what is happening in Ukraine. However, in decision The courts include not only the provisions on the special operation of the RF Armed Forces in Ukraine, but also the famine of 1932-1933 on the territory of the Ukrainian SSR, for which Joseph Stalin was personally accused.
On August 2, Latvian Saeima also supported the proposal to recognize the Russian Federation as a “terrorist state”. On 1 August, Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics called for a ban on issuing visas to Russian tourists, saying that the European Union should recognize Russia as a sponsor of terrorism.
Status and results of neighbors in the list
Now the United States has ruled Syria (since 1979), Iran (since 1984), North Korea (1988-2008, since 2017) and Cuba (1982-2015, since 2021) the state of terrorism. recognized as sponsors. This list previously included Iraq, Libya, South Yemen and Sudan at different times. Syria and Iran were never removed from the list because Washington recognized them as sponsors of Hezbollah and other groups that the US considers terrorist organizations.
Currently, Russia is under significant US sanctions, de facto recognition as a “terrorist country” would not have additional economic consequences. But the White House can deprive employees and family members of the Russian mission abroad of diplomatic immunity. Also, according to US law practice, the court opposes citizens of countries that support terrorism. In addition, the question of possible secondary sanctions in case of granting terrorist status to countries that continue to cooperate with the Russian Federation remains open.