US Senate committee advances resolution to designate Russia a 'state sponsor of terrorism'

US Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee, on Friday, opted a measure that would direct Secretary of State Antony Blinken to designate Russian Federation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism. bill was initiated last month by Republican senator Jim Risch amidst Kremlin’s “unprovoked and illegal war” on Ukraine. As per US law, proposal would require approval of both houses of American parliament, before making it to Oval Office for final signatures.

If passed, it would put Russia into same category as Iran, Syria, Cuba and North Korea. It would directly allow Washington to slap all kinds of tre embargoes on Moscow, whose economy has alrey been hit hard by Western sanctions. Earlier in day, Senator Jim Risch, top Republican on committee, told an audience that Russia’s actions make it a “bully” and a state sponsor of terrorism because it inved a country that was smaller in size, population and military capability. 

Earlier in May, US Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal introduced a Senate resolution affirming that US Senate views actions of government of Russian Federation, at direction of President Vlimir Putin, as sponsoring acts of terrorism. “Putin is a thug, and a bully, and he will continue being an increasing threat to Europe and world unless he is stopped,” Graham said vocating for his proposal and ded, “If re is anybody who embodies terrorism, and totalitarianism and tyranny, it’s Putin.” Notably, resolution came at request of Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy-led ministration.

US announces $450 million in aid to Ukraine

This comes as United States announced that it will send anor $450 million military aid to Ukraine in dition to several ditional medium-range rocket systems in its latest bid to bolster war-hit country’s resistance against Russians. Biden ministration has bankrolled millions of dollars in defence and humanitarian aid to Ukraine while also slapping unprecedented sanctions on Russia and its top leers.

Notably, latest package announced on Thursday encompasses not only funds and artillery rocket systems but also tactical vehicles that are used to tow away howitzers.

(Image: AP)