Ukrainian president welcomes EU lawmakers' decision to recognize Russia as ‘state sponsor of terrorism'

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the European Parliament's decision on Wednesday to recognize Russia as a “state sponsor of terrorism.”

“I welcome the European Parliament’s decision to recognize Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism and as a state which uses means of terrorism,” Zelenskyy said in a tweet.

Zelenskyy also noted his demand for Russia to be isolated “at all levels” and held accountable “to end its long-standing policy of terrorism in Ukraine and across the globe.”

The European Parliament voted in favor of the resolution during the Strasbourg plenary session.

“MEPs highlight 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,” a statement by the European Parliament said.

It also called on the EU to “further isolate Russia internationally, including when it comes to Russia’s membership of international organizations and bodies such as the United Nations Security Council.”

“As the EU currently cannot officially designate states as sponsors of terrorism, Parliament calls on the EU and its member states to put in place the proper legal framework and consider adding Russia to such a list,” it added.