Russia should face sanctions for violating a chemical weapons ban and a designation as a state sponsor of terrorism following the poisoning of a former spy, according to a top Senate Democrat.
“[T]he Trump administration designated North Korea a State Sponsor of Terrorism following the poisoning of Kim Jong Un’s relative in Thailand,” New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez, the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, said Tuesday. “The administration should also consider whether this designation should apply to Russia.”
That move would place Russia on a short list of terror-backing states that now includes Iran, Syria, Sudan, and North Korea. British Prime Minister Theresa May accused Russia of using “a weapons-grade nerve agent” to poison a former military intelligence officer who had worked as a double agent on behalf of the United Kingdom. That puts Russia at risk of multiple forms of sanction and diplomatic retribution, according to the New Jersey Democrat.
“Once again, I call on the Trump administration to recognize the danger the Russian government continues to pose to Americans and our friends around the world,” Menendez said. “The United States and the many allies of the United Kingdom must stand ready to support her in the aftermath of this brazen attack.”
A state sponsor of terrorism designation would stiffen sanctions already imposed by Congress. U.S. officials have sought to punish Russia for the 2016 election interference, the invasion of Ukraine, and for partnering with Iran to support Syrian President Bashar Assad in a long-running civil war.
Rex Tillerson endorsed May’s denunciation of Russia over the poisoning incident Monday evening, in one of his last official acts as secretary of state. But President Trump fired him unexpectedly Tuesday morning and hedged his position on May’s accusation.
“It sounds to me like they believe it was Russia and I would certainly take that finding as fact,” Trump told reporters. “As soon as we get the facts straight, if we agree with them, we will condemn Russia or whoever it may be.”
May accused Russia on Monday of attempting to murder former spy Sergei Skripal in an attack earlier this month.
“It is now clear that Mr. Skripal and his daughter were poisoned with a military-grade nerve agent of a type developed by Russia,” she told the British House of Commons. “Mr. Speaker, there are therefore only two plausible explanations for what happened in Salisbury on March 4. Either this was a direct act by the Russian State against our country. Or the Russian government lost control of this potentially catastrophically damaging nerve agent and allowed it to get into the hands of others.”
She set a Wednesday deadline for an explanation. “Should there be no credible response, we will conclude that this action amounts to an unlawful use of force by the Russian State against the United Kingdom,” May said.
Menendez, the ranking member on the Foreign Relations Committee, has the procedural authority to force Trump to take a formal position on the matter. He intends to initiate a process that would give the White House the options to break with May, agree with the British and impose new sanctions, or face the prospect of affirming their position without taking direct action.
“The Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act of 1991 requires that the President make a determination if a state has used a chemical weapon and impose sanctions,” he said. “According to the law, the Chair and Ranking of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee can trigger the determination process and I expect to move forward quickly to do so.”
