US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken did not rule out the possibility of Washington recognizing Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. Previously, the administration of President Joe Biden openly opposed the measure.
During a hearing in the Appropriations Committee of the US Senate, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham asked Blinken: "You will never include Russia in the list of countries that sponsor terrorism?". "Never say never," he said in response, reports CNN.
The Biden administration has previously stated that it is not ready to recognize Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism, as demanded by members of Congress and the authorities of Ukraine. The White House believes that the recognition will completely stop the possibility of cooperation with Russia in critical sectors and may bring in relations with states that trade with Russia, for example, India.
Lindsey Graham is one of the co-authors of the bill that requires the White House to recognize this. However, the country's foreign policy is in the hands of the executive power, lawmakers cannot force the Biden administration to make such a decision.
