European Parliament designates Russia a 'state sponsor of terrorism'

The European Parliament on Wednesday has adopted a resolution which designates Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism.

The resolution was overwhelmingly approved with 494 votes in favor, 58 against and 44 abstentions, during the monthly plenary session in Strasbourg.

The Parliament debated how Moscow’s military strikes on civilian targets such as energy infrastructure, hospitals, schools and shelters violate international law.

The text merged three different resolutions filed by the European People’s Party, Renew Europe and the European Conservatives and Reformists group (ECR).

According to the European Parliament's website, MEPs intend to prepare the ground to hold Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian government accountable to an international tribunal.

A similar resolution was adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in October. The EU bloc has already introduced unprecedented sanctions on Russia over military action in Ukraine.