The European Parliament last Wednesday recognized Russia as a “state sponsor of terrorism” over its war against Ukraine, which has been going on since February 24, and urged the 27 countries of the European Union to declare the same.
“The deliberate attacks and atrocities committed by the Russian Federation against the civilian population of Ukraine, the destruction of civilian infrastructure and other serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law constitute acts of terrorism,” reads the resolution adopted on Wednesday.
Ukraine’s president took to social media to respond to the European Parliament’s decision to recognize Russia as a “state sponsor of terrorism and as a state using the means of terrorism”.
For Volodymyr Zelensky: “Russia must be isolated and held accountable at all levels”, to “end his longstanding policy of terrorism in Ukraine and around the world”.
I welcome @Europarl_NL decides to recognize Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism and as a state using terrorist means. Russia must be isolated and held accountable at all levels to end its longstanding policy of terrorism in Ukraine and around the world.
– Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) November 23, 2022
The European Parliament classifies Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism “using terrorist methods”, and also calls for the adoption of a ninth package of sanctions against Moscow.
The resolution was adopted by 494 votes in favour, 58 against and 44 abstentions.
MEPs also believed that the legal framework should be changed to allow the European Union (EU) to officially designate countries as sponsors of terrorism, with consequent restrictions on relations with the states involved.
The resolution also calls on the EU Council to include in the list of terrorist organizations the Russian paramilitary organization “Wagner Group”, the 141st Special Motorized Regiment, also known as “Kadyrovites” and other armed groups, militias and Kremlin-funded forces. take (Russian Presidency).
MEPs are also calling for greater isolation of Russia and the closure and ban of institutions linked to the Russian state that function as propaganda promoters.
The resolution, voted on nine months after the Russian invasion, is non-binding, as are the resolutions condemning the regime of President Vladimir Putin approved by the United Nations General Assembly.
With Lusa
News updated at 13:23
Source: DN
