Estonian parlt committee wants Russia designated a terrorist state

TALLINN - The foreign affairs committee of the Estonian parliament wants to designate the Russian regime a terrorist regime and Russia a state sponsor of terrorism, and the committee also wishes for members of the parliament to draft the corresponding declaration. 

Chairman of the foreign affairs committee Marko Mihkelson said that the Ukrainian parliament has called on other states and international organizations to designate Russia a state sponsor of  terrorism and, in the assessment of the committee members, Estonia must react to this call. 

"We are of the unanimous opinion in the committee that a draft statement must be prepared in the Riigikogu for declaring the Russian regime a terrorist one and Russia a state sponsor of terrorism and for condemning in the strongest terms its actions, including the holding of sham referenda in Ukraine," he said. 

Mihkelson noted that party groups in the parliament will continue working on the text of the draft declaration this week, and the goal is to finalize the draft and submit it for handling by the parliament the week after the next. A draft declaration by the parliament can be submitted by at least one-fifth of the composition of the Riigikogu, that is by at least 21 MPs. 

The Riigikogu has thus far made three declarations condemning Russia's actions and expressing support to Ukraine. On Jan. 18, the parliament passed a statement submitted by 28 MPs in support of the territorial integrity of Ukraine. On Feb. 23, it passed a statement submitted by 86 MPs about Russia's aggression against Ukraine and on April 21, a statement submitted by 84 MPs about Russia's war crimes and genocide in Ukraine.