Latvian parliament designates Russia ‘a state sponsor of terrorism’

The Latvian parliament has declared Russia a state sponsor of terrorism, its website reports.

A total of 67 lawmakers out of a 100 voted in favour of the resolution. Latvian MPs also called on the EU to immediately introduce visa restrictions for Russian and Belarusian nationals and to suspend their tourist visas.

“We call on the politicians to strengthen their military, financial, humanitarian and diplomatic support of Ukraine and to support the initiatives condemning Russia’s hostilities in Ukraine and calling to hold those who are behind them responsible, to isolate Russia from international and regional organisations and to introduce equivalent sanctions against Belarus over its support of Russia’s military aggression,” the parliament said.

For many years, Russia has supported and financed “terrorist regimes and organisations”, the resolution states.

“In Ukraine, Russia has chosen the same cruel, immoral and unlawful tactic by using non-precision weaponry, as well as weapons and munitions banned internationally, targeting civilians and public places with disproportionate violence.

In order to achieve the goals of its unlawful and aggressive war, Russia aims to intimidate and demoralise the people and the armed forces of Ukraine, to paralyse the power of the state, in order to occupy Ukraine. That is, Russia is using violence to achieve its political goals,” the lawmaker stated.

Russia’s actions in Ukraine represent “deliberate genocide of the Ukrainian people”, the statement reads.

The Lithuanian parliament approved a similar resolution deeming Russia “a state supporting and implementing terrorism” back on 10 May. The Lithuanian lawmakers also called for the establishment of an international tribunal tasked with investigating Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.