The S&Ds will today support the resolution recognising Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism and as a state which uses means of terrorism.

Pedro Marques, the S&D vice-president, said:

“Since Russia launched its fully-fledged war against Ukraine, we have condemned it in the strongest terms, advocated for strong EU sanctions to be imposed on Russia and called to fight impunity by prosecuting Russia for its war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression.

Today, the European parliament will send a strong political signal, recognising Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. There is no doubt that Russia’s atrocities, including the latest massive barrages of rockets on Ukrainian cities, targeting both civilian and energy infrastructures, are attempts to terrorise the population of Ukraine. Russia clearly wants to make it impossible for people to survive the winter without heating, running water and electricity. These are nothing less than war crimes. Russia must be stopped and held accountable. The bloodshed must end now.”