Estonian parliament recognizes russia as state sponsor of terrorism
On October 18, the Parliament of Estonia declared russia a state sponsor of terrorism.
ERR reports that parliamentarians adopted a statement that also condemns russia's attempt to annex occupied Ukrainian territories.
Eighty-eight deputies voted in favor. There were no votes "against" or "abstentions."
The project did not include five more radical proposals from the far-right EKRE party calling for EU and NATO countries:
- to recall ambassadors from russia and close all diplomatic missions there, except for embassies;
- not to give political asylum to citizens of russia and to deport those who fled from mobilization.
- to shut down the checkpoints at the border,
- to disarm the russian federation and Belarus citizens who are in Estonia and possess weapons.
"Supporting the appeal of the Parliament of Ukraine to states and international organizations, the Riigikogu declares the russian regime terrorist, and the russian federation is a state sponsor of terrorism, whose actions must be jointly repelled.
The Riigikogu calls on the international community to approve similar declarations," the draft document says.
In the resolution, the parliament reiterates its condemnation of russian aggression and attempts to annex Ukrainian territory based on pseudo-referendums. Parliamentarians emphasized that Estonia will never recognize this.
The Riigikogu supports the investigations launched by the International Court of Justice of the United Nations and the International Criminal Court regarding crimes committed by the russians during the war against Ukraine.
Also, the parliament is calling for creating a special international tribunal to bring to justice those guilty of the crime of aggression.
Parliamentarians condemn russia's use of paramilitary formations created with the assistance of the russian government in an aggressive war. This concerns the Wagner Group military company.
In addition, they call to recognize the armed forces of the puppet "Luhansk People's Republic" and "Donetsk People's Republic" and the Wagner private military company as terrorist organizations.
The Riigikogu also condemns the russian regime's announcement and conduct of mobilization. According to parliamentarians, this violates international law.
At the same time, they noted that mobilization carried out to continue criminal aggression is a crime against peace.
The Riigikogu also supports the demand to deprive the russian federation of its status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
In addition, the parliament will call on the European Union member states to show unity in applying additional economic sanctions directed against the russian federation and its ally Belarus.
In addition, Riigikogu calls on Western partners to significantly increase Ukraine's military and humanitarian aid and support its post-war recovery.
"Estonia supports the people, the state, and the army of Ukraine in the fight against the aggressor in all possible ways and believes in the victory of Ukraine because only this will restore peace in Europe," the document emphasizes.
