Three countries recognized Russia's actions in Ukraine as genocide: the US may take an even tougher decision

The war in Ukraine has united almost the entire world in the fight against Russian aggression. Some countries have already officially recognized the actions of the Russian Federation as genocide, and the United States is considering the possibility of recognizing Russia as a sponsor of terrorism.

Photo: Shutterstock

Canada recognizes Russia's actions as genocide

The House of Commons of Canada unanimously recognized Russia's actions as genocide of the Ukrainian people, writes Voice of America.

The resolution states that Russia committed "massive atrocities and systematically deliberately killed civilians in Ukraine" during the war.

Member of the House of Commons of Canada and author of the document Heather McPherson said that the recognition of Russia's actions as genocide is the first step.

She urged the government to tighten sanctions against Russia and increase humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

“We need to fund the International Criminal Court and do more to make sure it has all the tools and resources it needs to investigate and hold accountable those behind this genocide,” McPherson said.

Estonia and Latvia were the first

The parliaments of Estonia and Latvia were the first in the world to recognize the Russian war in Ukraine as genocide. On April 21, the Riigikogu, the Estonian legislature, unanimously adopted a statement on war crimes and the genocide of Russia in Ukraine, writes DW.

“The Russian Federation committed acts of genocide against civilians, including in temporarily occupied territories - in the cities of Bucha, Borodyanka, Gostomel, Irpen and Mariupol, as well as in many other settlements of Ukraine. They include murder, kidnapping, deportation, imprisonment, torture, rape, and desecration of corpses,” the document says.

On the subject: Media: 10 European countries have opened ruble accounts in Russia, 4 have already paid for gas in Russian currency

Following Estonia, the Saeima of Latvia adopted a similar statement.

Protecting Ukraine and stopping "further crimes against humanity" is possible only through the supply of weapons and the expansion of sanctions against the energy sector of Russia, said Rihards Kols, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Latvian Seimas.

“For several months, there has been hesitation in the West regarding the supply of weapons for fear of provoking Russian President Vladimir Putin. But after the Russian atrocities on the territory of Ukraine, this caution has lost its relevance, since it provokes genocide in the heart of Europe - in Ukraine," Koles said.

The Saeima of Latvia also approved amendments according to which citizens of the country who support Russia's war in Ukraine may be deprived of Latvian citizenship.

The United States is ready to recognize the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism

President Joe Biden's administration is exploring the possibility of recognizing Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. Voice of America.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba called for such a decision.

The status of a state sponsor of terrorism will entail sanctions, including restrictions on foreign aid, a ban on the export of defense products, and other measures.

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read it all on ForumDaily New York

Senator Lindsey Graham called on Pentagon chief Anthony Blinken to make such a decision and asked why this has not yet been done.

“I have no doubt, Senator, that Russia is terrorizing the Ukrainian people,” Blinken said. “The question is this, and this is what lawyers study: you need to make sure that the situation really meets the requirements for such a definition.”

Referring to actions allegedly taken by Russia in Ukraine and Syria, where Moscow supports President Bashar al-Assad, Graham told the Secretary of State: “If you have to change the law to include Russia, you get 100 votes.”

To include a country on the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism, the Secretary of State must determine that its government has "repeatedly supported acts of international terrorism," the State Department said.

There are currently four countries on this list: Cuba, North Korea, Iran and Syria.

Read also on ForumDaily:

36 years ago, peaceful atom became a killer: 12 interesting facts you might not know about Chernobyl

Ten cool places in the US to visit with kids

Many do not even suspect: 10 unexpected things that home insurance covers

New Americans: where do immigrants come from in the USA and in which states do they have the most

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.