The European Parliament on Wednesday, November 23, recognized Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. The EP supported the relevant resolution, Reuters writes.
In the document, the European Parliament acknowledged that Russia has carried out "indiscriminate attacks on residential areas and civilian infrastructure" in Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of thousands of people. In the occupied territories, the aggressors carry out "executions without trial and investigation, carry out kidnappings, sexual violence, torture, and other atrocities," the resolution added. Mass murders in Bucha, Irpen, Izyum, and Lyman were also mentioned, as well as attacks on the Mariupol theater and the Kramatorsk railway station.
The project's authors also calculated that Russia violates the principles of the UN Charter, caused a humanitarian crisis in Mariupol, and destroyed 95% of the city, blocking Ukrainians' access to gas, electricity, water and the Internet, as well as to basic goods and services.
The resolution was supported by 494 MEPs, 58 were against, and 44 abstained.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky on Twitter welcomed the decision of the European Parliament to recognize Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism.
I welcome @Europarl_EN decision to recognize Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism and as a state which uses means of terrorism. Russia must be isolated at all levels and held accountable in order to end its long-standing policy of terrorism in Ukraine and across the globe.
Volodymyr Zelensky