UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has alluded to the possibility of branding Russia as a terrorist state amid the Kremlin’s continued illegal war in Ukraine. During a session with the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, Labour MP Liam Byrne inquired whether the UK Foreign Office would designate Russia as a terrorist state. Mr. Cleverly, refusing to rule out the prospect, acknowledged that there were “grounds” to consider such a designation.
While expressing reluctance to speculate publicly about future designations, the Foreign Secretary emphasized the UK’s commitment to impede Russia’s ability to wage war in Ukraine. Responding to Mr. Byrne’s suggestion of proscribing the United Party of Russia similar to political organizations like Hamas, Mr. Cleverly stated, “I think there are grounds to look at wider proscriptions.”
Pressed further on the possibility of designating Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism, Mr. Cleverly maintained a non-committal stance, stating, “I’m not going to speculate about future designations.” However, he reiterated the UK’s determination to hinder Russia’s military actions in Ukraine through sanctions, support for Ukrainian defense, and efforts to bring perpetrators of war crimes to justice.
These remarks come at a time when the UK announced the withdrawal of peacekeepers from Mali, citing the country’s increasing reliance on Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group as a destabilizing factor. In response to a query by Liberal Democrat MP Richard Foord about proscribing the Wagner Group as a terrorist organization, Armed Forces Minister James Heappey affirmed his commitment to raising the issue with the Home Secretary.
The decision to withdraw British peacekeepers from Mali follows concerns about the Wagner Group’s involvement, characterized by Minister Heappey as a “bunch of murderous, human rights-abusing thugs.” The move aims to address the growing tensions between Mali, its African neighbors, and the West, with the Malian government’s collaboration with the Wagner Group deemed counterproductive to regional stability and security.
As tensions escalate in the wake of Russia’s actions in Ukraine, the UK’s diplomatic and strategic responses underscore a commitment to curbing Russian influence and ensuring accountability for war crimes and human rights violations.
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