The Polish Sejm Recognizes Russia as a State Supporting Terrorism
In a late-evening session on 14 December, the Polish Sejm, the lower chamber of Poland’s parliament, voted on a resolution that labels the Russian Federation as a “state that supports terrorism.” The outcome showed a strong cross-party consensus, with 231 deputies supporting the adoption of the resolution and 226 not participating in the vote. The document declares that the Sejm recognizes Russia as a state that employs terrorist methods and systematically violates international norms and humanitarian law.
The resolution asserts that the Russian Federation has engaged in actions that constitute a breach of the UN Charter and other binding international obligations. It contends that Russia has annexed the territory of other states and has used force in ways described as armed aggression, war crimes, and acts of genocide. It also criticizes Russia for pursuing hostile economic policies, particularly in the energy sector, which are viewed as tools of coercion and influence on the international stage.
Among the gravest accusations, the document holds Russia directly responsible for the destruction of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 in July 2014 and for the crash of the Tu-154 aircraft near Smolensk in April 2010, incidents that resulted in the loss of numerous lives, including Polish citizens. The Sejm notes that these events have had a lasting impact on regional security and international aviation safety, and the assembly emphasizes the need for accountability in the aftermath of such tragedies.
Additionally, the resolution contends that Russia engaged in an international act of piracy by forcefully closing Ukrainian ports and disrupting maritime traffic using armed means, actions described as effectively blocking pathways of international commerce without declaring war. This framing reflects the Sejm’s view of Russia’s broader strategy to exert pressure and project power in adjacent regions.
It is important to highlight that the decision by the Sejm is advisory in nature. It does not in itself create legal obligations or confer enforcement powers on other authorities. Nevertheless, it is presented as a formal expression of Poland’s stance on Russia’s conduct and as a basis for dialogue with international partners on response options and accountability mechanisms.
In related European Union debates, a parallel development occurred during a plenary session in Strasbourg, where a majority of European lawmakers adopted a resolution describing Russia as a state that supports terrorism in connection with broader concerns about Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Reported voting results indicated substantial support within the European Parliament, with a sizable portion of deputies voting in favor, while others abstained or opposed the measure. The resolution emphasizes the need for coordinated EU responses and the expansion of sanctions regimes to address evasion and circumvention by various actors and entities.
The Sejm’s resolution reiterates its advisory character while outlining recommended measures for the European Union to consider. Among the proposals are expanding the list of individuals and entities subject to sanctions and evaluating additional steps aimed at preventing sanctions circumvention. The language underscores a preference for multilateral approaches, leveraging alliances and international institutions to address what the body characterizes as illicit and destabilizing actions by the Russian Federation.
In sum, the Polish Sejm has formally recognized Russia as a state that supports terrorism and called for a broader set of sanctions and policy responses within the EU and allied organizations. While the document lacks direct legal force, the resolution signals a clear political position and a willingness to pursue coordinated actions with international partners in response to ongoing tensions and security challenges in the region.nSource attribution: parliamentary records and related EU debates