Resolution on recognising the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism

The European Parliament adopted by 494 votes to 58, with 44 abstentions, a resolution on recognising the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism.

The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, Renew, ECR groups and Members.

While reiterating its unwavering support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, within its internationally recognised borders, Parliament demands that Russia and its proxy forces cease all military actions, in particular the attacks against residential areas and civilian infrastructure, and that Russia withdraw all military forces, proxies and military equipment from the entire internationally recognised territory of Ukraine, end the forced deportations of Ukrainian civilians and the forced adoptions of Ukrainian children, release all the persons it has detained in Ukraine and permanently cease violating or threatening the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

State sponsor of terrorism

Parliament stressed that the deliberate attacks and atrocities committed by Russian forces and their proxies against civilians in Ukraine, the destruction of civilian infrastructure and other serious violations of international and humanitarian law amount to acts of terror and constitute war crimes. In light of this, it recognises Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism and as a state that “uses means of terrorism”.

The EU and its Member States are called on to develop an EU legal framework for the designation of states as sponsors of terrorism and states which use means of terrorism, which would trigger a number of significant restrictive measure against those countries and would have profound restrictive implications for EU relations with those countries. Subsequently, it called on the Council to consider adding Russia to such an EU list of state sponsors of terrorism.

Sanctions

The Council is called on to expand the list of individuals targeted by the sanctions to include those involved in forced deportations, forced adoptions of Ukrainian children, the illegal ‘referendums’ in the Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions, and the illegal ‘elections’ in Crimea and Sevastopol, as well as all members of State Duma parties who hold offices in elected parliaments at all levels, including at regional and municipal levels.

Parliament called for a ban on the direct or indirect import, purchase or transfer of diamonds, whether in raw or processed form, originating from Russia. It also called for Russia and Belarus to be put on the EU’s high-risk third country list on anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism.

Members called for  the immediate and full embargo on EU imports of Russian fossil fuels and uranium, and for the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines to be completely abandoned, in order to stop financing Russia’s war of aggression.

Special Tribunal

The EU called for renewed support for the ongoing independent investigations of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Russia, which should ensure that those involved in planning, organising, committing or facilitating these crimes are individually held to account.

A special tribunal should be established dealing with the crime of aggression by Russia against Ukraine.

Compensation mechanism

The Commission and the Member States are called on to work towards the establishment of a comprehensive international compensation mechanism, including an international register of damage. Parliament called on the Commission and the co-legislators to complete the legal regime allowing for the confiscation of Russian assets frozen by the EU and for their use to address the various consequences of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, including the reconstruction of Ukraine and compensation for the victims of Russia’s aggression.

Increased assistance

The resolution called on the Council and the Member States to urgently and significantly increase their political, economic, financial, military, technical and humanitarian support for Ukraine in order to help Ukraine defend itself against the Russian war of aggression and against Russian attempts to destabilise Ukrainian state institutions, undermine the country’s macroeconomic stability, and destroy critical infrastructure in the areas of energy, communications, water and transport, and civilian infrastructure in the areas of education, health and culture.

Parliament welcomed the Commission’s proposal of 9 November 2022 for an unprecedented EUR 18 billion support package for Ukraine in 2023 to ensure its macroeconomic stability, restore critical infrastructure and maintain essential public services, and

affirmed its support for the swift adoption of the proposal.

Lastly, Parliament appeals to all Russian people not only to refuse to be dragged into this war, but also to protest against the atrocious war crimes against the people of Ukraine, committed by Russia in the name of the Russian people. It calls for protection and temporary shelter to those Russians who are being persecuted due to their opposition to the regime.