The Polish parliament is moving toward recognizing the Russian Federation as a state that sponsors terrorism. In international affairs, symbolic acts can pave the way for further steps, noted by the head of the foreign affairs committee, Radosław Fogiel, on behalf of the Law and Justice party. Two draft resolutions from PiS and from the left, proposing the label of a state sponsor of terrorism for Russia, have been submitted to the Sejm and sent to the Foreign Affairs Committee for its first reading.
“Sponsorship” versus “support”
As Fogiel explained to the press agency PAP, the committee will consider the issue at its Wednesday meeting. One key question is whether the resolution should use the term sponsorship or adopt a more cautious formulation such as support.
The meeting for discussion on this matter is scheduled for Wednesday, the fifteenth of the month, and the committee chair indicated a plan to draft a joint motion for a unified resolution.
The European Parliament has already passed a similar resolution, initiated by the European Conservatives and Reformists and members of the Law and Justice party, Fogiel recalled.
He added that Poland should consider following this example, and he expressed hope that other national legislatures might do the same.
When asked about the significance of a Sejm resolution, the committee chair described it as a political gesture, comparable in scope to measures taken by the European Parliament.
Nevertheless, he noted that such gestures matter in international politics. When they reach a certain tipping point, they can exert pressure and potentially trigger further actions within the bounds of international law, he stated.
The left’s draft emphasizes the illegal aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. It states that the Russian state and its subordinate structures have carried out acts of terrorism against civilian infrastructure, including residential areas, schools, hospitals, railway stations, theaters, and essential water and electricity networks.
The draft for the Sejm declares that the Russian Federation is to be isolated in all respects on the international stage, a step urged by the left’s motion.
How do the proposals differ?
One draft text reads that the Sejm calls on the Council of Ministers to impose further sanctions on Russia and all individuals who support the criminal regime of Vladimir Putin, while continuing to back Ukraine in its struggle against the aggressor.
In the PiS version, the Sejm recognizes Russia’s violence against civilians carried out for political aims such as terrorism and designates Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism, urging like-minded countries to adopt the same stance.
The PiS draft also calls for bringing to justice all those directly or indirectly responsible for war crimes in Ukraine. It supports international mechanisms including cooperation with the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice to identify and prosecute perpetrators.
Additionally, the PiS text urges the international community to maintain robust support for Ukraine and to defend core principles of international law as long as necessary.
Last week the European Parliament passed a resolution recognizing Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism and affirming support for Ukraine’s independence. The petition notes the voting results: 494 in favor, 58 against, 44 abstentions.
Source at wPolityce is cited for background context and coverage of the developments.
The evolving discussions reflect a broader pattern in European and allied policy toward Russia and Ukraine, where parliaments seek clear stances that align with shared principles and collective security interests.