Kathrine Frich
A bipartisan group of American senators has introduced new legislation targeting Moscow and its ally Minsk.
A bipartisan group of American senators has introduced new legislation targeting Moscow and its ally Minsk.
US Senators Launch New Bill
The bill would formally label Russia and Belarus as state sponsors of terrorism, a move that could tighten sanctions and increase their global isolation.
“Russia Has Earned Its Place on the Terror List”
Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican, said it is no longer possible to ignore the Kremlin’s actions.
He pointed to the kidnapping of thousands of Ukrainian children as proof of state-led terror.
“It is hard to get on that list,” he told reporters, “but Russia has earned its place there.”
19,546 Children Taken from Ukraine
According to Kyiv, nearly 20,000 Ukrainian children have been abducted since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.
Many were separated from their families and transported into Russian-controlled territory.
Senators say the bill is designed to send a clear message: this practice must end.
Pressure on Both Parties to Act Fast
The senators behind the bill include Lindsey Graham, Richard Blumenthal, Amy Klobuchar, and Katie Britt.
Together they urged leaders of both parties in Congress to allow immediate debate and a vote, stressing:
“We want to put this into effect right now.”
What the Terror Sponsor Label Means
Currently, only Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Syria are on the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism.
If Russia and Belarus were added, the designation would force Washington to impose sweeping new restrictions on any country or company doing business with them.
Call for White House Support
Senator Graham also asked the Biden administration to support a separate bipartisan sanctions bill, which already has more than 80 co-sponsors.
He argued that the U.S. must open “another front against Putin’s Russia” and make the abduction of Ukrainian children unacceptable worldwide.
Ukraine Has Pushed for This Since 2022
Since the first months of the war, Ukrainian officials have urged Washington to declare Russia a state sponsor of terrorism.
Such a label, they argue, would not only isolate Moscow diplomatically but also put legal pressure on Russia’s allies and trading partners.
