The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee has backed declaring Russia a state sponsor of terrorism. The resolution was initiated by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, whose proposal was supported by Democrat Richard Blumenthal.

The resolution, which was initiated in May 2022 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, should add Russia to the list of countries sponsoring terrorism.

The resolution is to be voted on by the Senate, but as Republican Sen. Chris Coons told VoA's Ukraine office, the final decision is up to the president's administration.

Republican Senator James Risch says that  Russia, under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, is a state sponsor of terrorism.

Risch suggested that  what Putin did by ordering the invasion of Ukraine was a terrorist act.

Senator Risch believes that the resolution will have many supporters during the general vote in the Senate, and the Secretary of State will also pay close attention to the issue.

The list of countries sponsoring terrorism is compiled by the State Department.

Currently on this list are: Cuba, North Korea, Iran and Syria.