The US Congress is working on introducing a bill that will give Russia the status of an "aggressor state." The work is being done on the eve of the planned visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Washington, writes The Hill.
It is assumed that thanks to this status, the United States will be able to impose more sanctions against Russian officials, however, politicians call this bill a compromise on Zelensky's demand to declare Russia a state sponsor of terrorism and do not consider it effective. Earlier, the Biden administration said that designating Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism would hinder any diplomatic efforts aimed at ending Russia's war against Ukraine.
The draft document is being discussed between the administration and Congressional leadership, sources told The Hill.
“Zelensky requested the status of a state sponsor of terrorism, and instead the Biden administration told them that it would not support it, but came up with an alternative status that does not even exist in either national or international US law – there is no legal basis for this. This is an ill-conceived PR measure that will not punish Russia or help the Ukrainian people,” said an aide to a congressman quoted by The Hills on condition of anonymity.