US State Dept fears labeling Russia state sponsor of terrorism 'as this could affect grain deal' — Politico

The US State Department is concerned that Congress may recognize Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism, reported Politico with reference to its sources.

The American foreign policy agency conveyed its fears unofficially. Sources familiar with the conversations said that the State Department fears that the inclusion of Russia in the list of countries sponsoring terrorism may interfere with the so-called "grain agreement". It was approved at the end of July, and the gradual export of Ukrainian grain from three ports of Ukraine began already in August.

The State Department noted that there are no guarantees that Russia will fulfill its obligations if the United States recognizes it as a state sponsor of terrorism.

The State Department also said that blacklisting the Russian Federation would affect the American private sector. In particular, Americans will not be able to participate in business in these countries. It is not yet known how the Congress reacted to such fears of the State Department.

Background

The US Senate (the upper house of Congress) adopted a resolution calling on the State Department to recognize Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism on July 27. The resolution has a recommendatory nature and is not binding. However, it creates additional pressure on the State Department, which has the power to declare a state a sponsor of terrorism.

Before that, the speaker of the US House of Representatives (the lower house of Congress) Nancy Pelosi called on the Secretary of State Antony Blinken to declare Russia a state sponsor of terrorism. Otherwise, according to her, legislators can pass a law on such recognition without the participation of the State Department.

Why is this important?

According to the State Department, this would mean that Washington may have to expand its sanctions far beyond certain sectors of the Russian economy. The current four US-designated state sponsors of terrorism—Cuba, North Korea, Iran, and Syria—trade far less with the world than Russia.

Some experts say the move will increase pressure on the Kremlin and make any relationship with Russia virtually impossible for American citizens.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly stated that Ukraine is doing everything to ensure that the Russian Federation is added to the list of states sponsoring terrorism as soon as possible.

The Ukrainian parliament recognizes Russia as a terrorist state, and the actions of the Russian military as genocide of the Ukrainian people.