Biden unsure if Russia fits ‘state sponsor of terrorism’ designation amid Ukraine war: Jake Sullivan

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White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan on Sunday said President Biden is uncertain whether the state sponsor of terrorism designation is the right fit for Russia after Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal likened Moscow’s actions to terrorist acts and genocide.

Sullivan appeared on NBC’s "Meet the Press" and was asked why Biden hasn’t added Russia to the list of state sponsors of terrorism with the likes of Cuba, North Korea, Iran and Syria. 

"President Biden has indicated that he is not certain that the state sponsor of terror designation specifically is the right fit for what's going on with Russia," Sullivan said.

The national security adviser said the crippling sanctions that the Biden administration has levied against Russia go well beyond what the U.S. has done with some countries already on the list.

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"So as a practical matter, whether we're talking about denying Russia access to the technologies it needs to power its economy and its defense industrial base, cutting off its banks from the international financial system, imposing personal sanctions on key oligarchs, the president has not pulled his punches at all," Sullivan said.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan speaks at a press briefing at the White House in Washington, Sept. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

He said that while the U.S. will continue to speak with the Ukrainians about this matter, "we fully agree with the Ukrainian prime minister… we need to continue to amp the pressure on Russia economically, and we will do so."

Biden is "not certain" about whether Russia fits the "state sponsor of terrorism" designation, according to Jake Sullivan. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened the use of nuclear weapons as Ukraine’s military continues its successful counteroffensive. He also began forcing an annexation referendum vote to take control of regions of Ukraine and initiated the conscription of 300,000 citizens.

When asked if the latter two actions were a sign that Putin is losing the war, Sullivan said it shows Putin is running out of options but still remains dangerous.

Jake Sullivan said President Biden has not pulled any punches regarding the sanctions imposed on Russia. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

"It's a sign that he is struggling very badly in Ukraine, that the Russian army is struggling badly, and that he doesn't have a lot of options left because he really did not want to have to move to mobilization," Sullivan said.

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"But that doesn't mean that the danger is over," he continued. "It is very much real and still with us because Vladimir Putin remains intent… on wiping out the Ukrainian people, that he does not believe that Ukraine should have a right to exist."