US State Department Considers Designating Russia as a State Sponsor of Terrorism

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The U.S. Department of State has announced that it is reviewing all possible measures to hold Russia accountable for the war in Ukraine, including the possibility of designating Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism.

Ned Price, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, told CNN on the 18th (local time), "Whether it is the designation as a state sponsor of terrorism or other methods, if it is effective and appropriate, we will do so."

It is reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently requested U.S. President Joe Biden to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism during a phone call.

White House spokesperson Jen Psaki, during a briefing that day, avoided giving a definitive answer when asked if they were considering President Zelensky's request, stating that it is a matter for the State Department to review.

Currently, the countries designated by the U.S. as state sponsors of terrorism are North Korea, Iran, Cuba, and Syria. If a country is listed as a state sponsor of terrorism, the U.S. can take measures such as freezing that country's assets within the U.S., banning exports of dual-use technologies for civilian and military purposes, and imposing economic sanctions on countries that trade with the designated nation.

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. has imposed many sanctions equivalent to those for state sponsors of terrorism. Psaki said, "We have already imposed financial sanctions, export controls, and other sanctions on Russia," adding, "When considering the impact of designating Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism, these are many of the measures we have already taken."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.