If the US State Department does not recognize Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism due to the Russian war against Ukraine, the US Congress can do this. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said this in a conversation with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, Politico reports citing sources..

Congress granted the secretary of state the authority to designate the respective country as a State Sponsor of Terrorism. However, some congressional officials say lawmakers could pass legislation recognizing Russia as a sponsor of terrorism without the State Department, thereby increasing pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin on their own..

“There is no legal reason why Congress could not pass a law effectively recognizing Russia as a State Sponsor of Terrorism.. Congressional passage of the legislation is clearly a more difficult path than a corresponding decision by the Secretary of State, but it will give the US administration the necessary political background to increase economic pressure and rhetoric against Putin, ”said a Democratic Party official..

Members of the House of Representatives and the Senate insist on recognizing the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism, which will force the US government to control foreign aid, reduce the export and sale of defense products, establish controls on the export of dual-use goods.

According to the State Department, granting Russia this " The current four countries identified by the US as sponsors of terrorism, Cuba, North Korea, Iran and Syria, have weaker trade ties with the world than Russia..

This may explain why the State Department has long been skeptical about such a move..

“The sanctions that we have introduced are the same steps that would require the recognition of the state as a sponsor of terrorism. We will carefully consider all possible options.. This is one of them,” State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters in April..

However, some experts say the move would increase pressure on the Kremlin and make any relationship with Russia almost impossible for US citizens..

“Recognition of Russia as a State Sponsor of Terrorism would be important, as this is a big step. This introduces a risk in all relations with the Russian Federation,” said Edward Fishman, an expert on sanctions at the Atlantic Council think tank..

At the same time, he noted that the US Congress has not yet taken serious steps to punish Russia.. As for secondary sanctions and more, "

Russian troops attacked many civilian targets, including schools and hospitals, as well as places where civilians sought shelter. Russian invasion led to countless civilian casualties in Ukraine.

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If any resolution on Capitol Hill is passed, or full recognition as a sponsor of terrorism passes both houses of Congress, Blinken may feel more pressure to side with lawmakers and give the Russian Federation "

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Should Ukraine seek international recognition of Russia as a terrorist state Or maybe better a state sponsor of terrorism? What is the difference between these terms and is it worth it for Ukraine to spend time and energy on this direction of the fight against the Russian Federation? Read the article by Gunduz Mammadov “How do we properly punish Russia”.