US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has admitted for the first time that Russia may be recognized as a state sponsor of terrorism.
As reported by the ‘European Truth,’ he made this statement during hearings in the US Senate committee on China.
Blinken’s remark came during a discussion with Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who insisted on the need to declare Russia a state sponsor of terrorism.
“We all here want China to stop supporting Russia, right? I have an idea. 100 American senators have proposed that we declare Russia a state sponsor of terrorism to prevent countries like China from providing them with weapons,” Graham recalled.
“Months have passed, and nothing has happened. Mr. Secretary of State, I really like you, but you will never declare Russia a state sponsor of terrorism, will you?” he asked.
The head of American diplomacy responded briefly, “Never say ‘never’.”
In further discussion with Senator Blinken, he noted that, in his opinion, the sanctions already imposed and the authority held by the United States were able to deter Beijing from providing military assistance to Moscow.
The recognition of Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism would lead to international isolation of Moscow and compel the United States to impose additional restrictions on countries that interact with the Kremlin. It is the State Department that has the authority to determine such a status.
The Biden administration previously rejected the requirement to label Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism, stating that it would tie the hands of the United States in its overall interaction with Russia and hinder any diplomatic efforts aimed at ending Russia’s war against Ukraine.