US President Joe Biden says 'no' to designating Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism

On September 5, President of United States, Joe Biden, vised against designating Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. tably, since start of conflict, Ukraine has pressed US and rest of world to declare Russia a state sponsor of terrorism.

US has been forewarned by Moscow t to take any such action, claiming that doing so may even sever diplomatic ties. With reference to war crimes committed in Bucha, Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham earlier this year submitted a resolution in US Senate requesting that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken declare Russia as a state supporter of terrorism.

n-binding resolution was also looked over by Committee on Foreign Relations. fact that Senate passed it with a unanimous vote shows that both parties in Congress supported idea. ditionally, it conveys idea that, if Congress decides that Russia ought to be blacklisted as a state sponsor of terrorism, it may do so without consulting State Department.

Pelosi ackwledged that designation was "long overdue"

Representatives Ted Lieu, Joe Wilson, Jared Golden, am Kinzinger, and Tom Maliwski submitted a bipartisan bill in July to name Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism, taking US House one step furr. At time, Nancy Pelosi, speaker of US House, even ackwledged that designation was "long overdue." plan has overwhelming support in US House of Representatives, and if it passes, it will be up to US President Joe Biden to decide wher to sign it into law.

However, when asked if Russia should be labelled as a state sponsor of terrorism during a press conference, Biden replied, "."

Only four countries are w listed by US as state sponsors of terrorism; Cuba, Iran, rth Korea and Syria. Given war crimes perpetrated since commencement of conflict in Ukraine, Russia will probably be considered a state sponsor of terrorism. Civilians have also been targeted, as evidenced by deaths of civilians in Bucha and bombing of hospitals and residential areas in a number of Ukrainian cities, including hospital in Mariupol.

Why Biden govt is refraining to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism

Russia may t be listed as a state sponsor of terrorism by Biden ministration because doing so would negatively impact companies that are still doing business re. Since it would limit potential for future diplomatic engment with Moscow, such a designation would also result in complete rupture of diplomatic relations between two countries.

Along with financial constraints, such a designation would also forbid exports of dual-use goods and defence industrial products. According to state department, such a designation would just serve to repeat restrictions alrey put in place against Russia. ditionally, people could file lawsuits against Russia in US courts.

US is still divided over designation issue since it might ruin bilateral ties totally and limit opportunities for future meetings, but detractors also ackwledge that sanctions haven't succeeded in getting Russia to negotiating table.

Im: AP