Lithuania Sets World Precedent in Placing Russia on 'Terrorism' Sponsor List

Lithuania became the world's first country Tuesday to designate Russia as a "sponsor and executor of terrorism," denouncing the Russian forces' actions in the ongoing war with Ukraine.

On its Facebook page, Lithuania's unicameral Parliament announced it had unanimously adopted the two-pronged resolution against Russia:

• "The war against Ukraine by the Russian Federation is a genocide of the Ukrainian nation carried out by Russia."
• "The Russian Federation is a country that supports and executes terrorism."

The resolution asserted that Russian forces have committed war crimes in Ukrainian cities, including, Bucha, Borodyanka, Hostomel, Irpin, and Mariupol, according to Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT).

The Lithuanian Parliament, or Seimas, recognizes "the full-scale armed aggression — war — against Ukraine by the armed forces of the Russian Federation and its political and military leadership ... as genocide against the Ukrainian people," the statement read.

The resolution also stated that Russia, "whose military forces deliberately and systematically target civilian targets, is a state that supports and perpetrates terrorism."

Lithuania, a former Soviet Union republic, joined the 30-nation North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 2004.

A recent sampling of accusations against Russia from other countries or entities:

• When speaking to the U.S. Helsinki Commission last week, Ukraine's Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova estimated Russia had committed nearly 10,000 war crimes since the onset of battle with its neighboring country.
• The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the UN Population Fund claimed that Russian forces have deliberately targeted civilian infrastructures, particularly hospitals.
• When addressing the UN Security Council, Sima Bahous, the UN executive director for women, said that reports of human trafficking, rape, and other sexual violence in Ukraine were increasing.
• And last month, President Joe Biden publicly accused Russia of committing "genocide" and attempting to "wipe out" Ukraine.

The State Department has only four nations on the U.S. "Sponsors of Terrorism" listing: Cuba, North Korea, Iran, and Syria.

• Lithuania Cuts Off Russian Gas Imports, Urges EU to Follow Suit
• President Biden Accuses Russia of Committing 'Genocide' in War With Ukraine