European declaration proclaiming Russia a ‘State sponsor of Terrorism’ has come at a time when Kyiv had been vehemently calling on the international community to declare Russia a ‘terrorist state’ over its invasion of the country. The present act of the Strasbourg Parliament would inevitably antagonize Moscow, even though the decision of the European Parliament carries limited legal implications.
The European Parliament on Wednesday proclaimed Russia as a “state sponsor of terrorism”, accusing its forces of carrying out widespread mayhem in the ongoing war on Ukraine.
The declaration carries only symbolic implication
The move by the European legislators is a symbolic political step with no legal consequences, but members of the European Parliament urged the governments of the 27-nation EU to follow their pronouncement in unison.
A resolution passed by the European Parliament lawmakers stated that “The deliberate attacks and atrocities carried out by the Russian Federation against the civilian population of Ukraine, the destruction of civilian infrastructure and other serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law tantamount to acts of terror,”.
The Parliament passed a decree with a majority and affirmed that it “recognises Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism and as a state which uses means of terrorism”.
Kyiv, now under Russian captivity, has been imploring the international community to declare Russia a “terrorist state” over its invasion of the country, and Strasbourg, the formal seat of the European Parliament decided to follow suit and accede to Kyiv’s request.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the decision.
Zelensky declared that “Russia must be isolated at all levels and held accountable in order to end its long-standing policy of terrorism in Ukraine and across the globe,”
EP does not any legal framework
It is well known that ‘The European Parliament’ — unlike the United States — does not have a legal framework to designate countries as a “state sponsor of terrorism”, it would be interesting to see how Russia reacts to this declaration. Will it really isolate Moscow – will it have any political or economic consequence, the world around us and especially the EU would be impatient to observe? But, at this juncture, it would be too early to anticipate any reaction from Russia.
Washington has deliberately stayed away from any action against Moscow
Washington has so far stayed away from putting any direct sanction on Russia, a move that would prompt more stringent sanctions and would remove the state immunity of Moscow’s officials.
The declaration, which was approved by 494 members of the European Parliament and opposed by 58, has authorised Brussels to draw a “legal framework” for any statutory impact on Russia.
The Lithuanian member of the European Parliament Andrius Kubilius, who launched the movement for the resolution, came up with scathing remarks, “We called a spade a spade. Russia is not only a state sponsoring terrorism but the state, which is using means of terrorism,”
The European Parliament sent a strong political signal to Russia by affirming their resolute pronouncement while vociferously asserting that Europe, Europeans do not want to remain passive when their big neighbour violates all humanitarian and international standards.”
Meanwhile, lawmakers in several eastern EU countries have openly condemned Russian “terrorism”.
The EU has since imposed eight rounds of unprecedented sanctions targeting Russia’s key oil exports, but the desired results are yet to be accomplished.
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Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov in the radar
The European Parliament resolution also urged the EU to include the Wagner mercenary group and troops loyal to Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov on the bloc’s sanctions list of “terrorist” organisations.
Will the resolution have any bearing on Russia?
Under the prevailing circumstances, it is highly unlikely to have any meaningful outcome, as OPEC+ a very powerful energy lobby has indicated their tilt towards Moscow, China and India continue to remain the biggest energy buyers of Russia and Biden lacks the power and influence to tame the belligerence of Putin. A concerted and combined effort by the West and the East can only deliver any significant outcome.
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