Poland Recognizes Russia as a State Sponsor of Terrorism: Crimes Listed

The lower house of the Polish parliament adopted a resolution on Wednesday evening, declaring Russia a country that supports terrorism.

The resolution was voted on by members of the ruling majority, reports Ukrinform.

'The Polish Sejm recognizes the Russian Federation as a country that supports terrorism and employs means of terror,' states the resolution.

It emphasizes that Russia systematically violates human rights, international law, and UN provisions, as well as a number of other international obligations, engages in aggression on the territory of other countries, military crimes, and genocide, and also carries out hostile economic actions, particularly in the energy sector. It underscores that changing borders by force is a crime against peace.

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'The forms of terror that Russia uses against Ukrainian citizens are crimes against humanity and genocide,' the document states.

It notes that Russian armed formations are committing acts of terrorism in Ukraine, carrying out mass executions, abductions, sexual abuse, and torture; ripping children from families for the purpose of their Russification; forcibly mobilizing Ukrainian citizens into the Russian army; vandalizing the property of Ukrainians. It draws attention to the fact that Russia violates the Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

The Polish Sejm notes that by blocking ports and communications with Ukraine via the sea, Russia is engaging in maritime piracy.

'By burning and looting Ukrainian territories and preventing Ukraine from exporting agricultural products for a long time, Russia has posed a threat of famine to many countries in Africa and Asia,' states the resolution. It also adds that Russia uses Ukrainian nuclear power plants to blackmail Ukrainians and the international community.

The resolution was passed by votes from the ruling party 'Law and Justice' (PiS).

All opposition factions did not vote, although this does not mean they are against recognizing Russia as a terrorist state. Most of them decided not to vote due to an amendment by PiS in this resolution regarding blaming Russia for the downing of MH-17 in July 2014 over the occupied territory of Ukraine and the plane of President Lech Kaczynski in April 2010 near Smolensk.

The United States currently does not find it beneficial to recognize Russia as a sponsor of terrorism. However, it advocates for further sanctions and export restrictions against the RF. This was stated by the U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO Julianne Smith during a phone briefing.

The NATO Parliamentary Assembly recognized Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism on November 21. They also called for the establishment of a special International Tribunal for the aggression of the RF against Ukraine.