McConnell urges Biden to label Russia state sponsor of terrorism

US Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) called on President Joe Biden to declare Russia a state sponsor of terrorism, as Washington ups the ante in its war against Moscow.

The declaration of a state sponsor of terrorism would lift sovereign immunity protections shielding Russia from being sued for civil damages. 

“I think it’s a good idea, and I would support that,” McConnell told reporters during a press call from Stockholm on Sunday. “The president could do it on his own, and I would urge him to do it.”

McConnell made his recommendation after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday. He was accompanied by three other Republican senators, Susan Collins of Maine, John Barrasso of Wyoming and John Cornyn of Texas.

McConnell said he assured Zelensky that “support for Ukraine in this war against the Russians is bipartisan” and that the “overwhelming majority” of national security-minded Republicans support the Ukrainian fight against Russia.

McConnell is urging Republican Senator Rand Paul to end his opposition to a $40 billion aid package for Ukraine, which the US House passed on Tuesday, sending the bill to the Senate for a vote.

Former US President Donald Trump and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.) also criticized the aid package for Ukraine.

“This naked aggression must not stand,” McConnell said. “I wanted to assure them that within the Congress there was very, very broad support for continuing the fight.” 

On Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and McConnell took to the Senate floor to press for swift passage of the legislation but their effort was stymied by Paul.

Senator Paul is demanding that the bill be changed to require an inspector general to oversee how Ukraine's military aid is spent.

Two weeks ago, US President Joe Biden asked Congress for a whopping $33 billion aid package for Ukraine, including more than $20 billion in new military aid and other security assistance over the next five months to use in the regime's war with Russia.

The supplemental funding request includes $16.4 billion for the Defense Department, $8.5 billion in economic assistance, and $3 billion for humanitarian assistance and to fight food insecurity, according to reports.

Top US Senate Republican McConnell meets Zelensky in Kiev

US Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and other Republican senators visited Kiev on Saturday and met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for talks.

The new package includes $6 billion for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative and $5.4 billion to replenish military inventories of weapons and equipment sent to the front lines.

"I strongly support the next package of lethal military assistance, which the House has passed with an overwhelming bipartisan majority," McConnell said on the Senate floor.

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