The European Parliament has described Russia state sponsor of terrorism.

In particular, today the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the latest developments in Russia’s barbaric and aggressive war against Ukraine.

MEPs emphasize that deliberate attacks and atrocities committed by the Russian armed forces and other forces under their control against civilians in Ukraine, the destruction of civilian infrastructure and other serious violations of international and humanitarian law are acts of terrorism and war crimes.

In this light, they recognize Russia as a state that encourages terrorism and a state that “uses the means of terrorism”, and they also call on the EU member states. do the same thing.

EU legal framework needed

Considering that at present the EU cannot officially designate states as sponsors of terrorism, the parliament calls on the EU and its member states to create an appropriate legal framework and consider adding Russia to this list.

This will lead to a series of serious restrictive measures against Moscow and will have a fundamental restrictive effect on the EU’s relations with Russia, the European Parliament says.

At the same time, MEPs are calling for the inclusion in the Council of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner Group, the 141st Special Motorized Regiment (also known as the Kadyrovites), as well as other armed formations, militias and armed formations under Russian control. and funded by Russia, on the EU terrorist list.

To further isolate Russia and complete the ninth round of sanctions

The Parliament calls on the EU for further international isolation of Russia, including with regard to Russia’s participation in international organizations and bodies such as the UN Security Council.

MEPs also want to reduce diplomatic relations with Russia, reduce EU contacts with official Russian representatives to an absolute minimum, and shut down and ban Russian institutions in the EU that spread state propaganda around the world.

In the context of the Kremlin’s escalating terrorist attacks against civilians in Ukraine, the resolution also calls on EU member states in the Council to promptly finalize the ninth round of sanctions against Moscow.

MEPs also want EU countries to actively prevent, investigate and prosecute any circumvention of existing sanctions and, together with the European Commission, consider possible measures against countries that are trying to help Russia circumvent the restrictive measures they have already imposed.

The resolution was adopted by 494 votes to 58, with 44 abstentions.