The desire of the United States to classify Russia as a sponsor of terrorism is absolute rudeness, said Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova.
The working group of Republicans in the House of Representatives issued a report on Wednesday that recommends tougher sanctions against Russia. Among other things, the report's authors suggest to include Russia in the list of "countries that sponsor terrorism", which is compiled by the administration, for alleged support of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Iran, the Hezbollah, the Taliban (banned in Russia) and the "Russian Imperial movement", which the US has listed as a terrorist group. Russia has in the past repeatedly denied the allegations made in the report, including support for terrorist organizations.
"In fact, we are talking about some theoretical research. Moreover, their list in relation to our country is not new. Again, some analogies are made, slogans are given, how to hit the energy and financial sectors more painfully, how to expand personal sanctions, " Zakharova said at a briefing.
"From the new, perhaps, only an absolutely shameless call to declare our country a "state sponsor of terrorism". Well, this is, of course, absolute rudeness, and we have been used to such statements by certain representatives of the American political class, who are trying to increase their own, as it seems to me, recognition on the wave of Russophobia. We just give a clear and unambiguous qualification", she said.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Creative Commons
Based on materials from RIA Novosti