SCIENTIFIC REVIEW OF THE PROBLEM OF RECOGNITION OF THE POLITICAL REGIME OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION AS TERRORIST BY THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND

Abstract

The article shows that due to the lack of a clear terminological definition of a terrorist state and its fixation in international law, there are currently no legal consequences associated with such a status. Specific sanctions are envisaged if a country is classified as a state sponsor of terrorism by the United States. So far, however, the US State Department has not decided to designate such, fearing several political and economic complications. The condemnation of the actions of the Russian Federation as a terrorist state, in connection with the war in Ukraine and elsewhere, by the parliaments of a few states and PACE is a symbolic gesture of solidarity with Ukraine. However, it has political significance for its and is a step towards greater international isolation of the aggressor country. The text states that the Republic of Poland was one of the countries that officially recognized the authorities of the Russian Federation as a terrorist regime. This initiative was adopted on October 26, 2022 in a resolution of the upper house of parliament – the Senate, which is slightly dominated by opposition forces. Despite the unanimity of the vote, there was an ongoing discussion in the wider political environment about the feasibility and formula of such a step. Representatives of the political groups that form the government and the ruling coalition in the lower house of parliament – the Sejm, considered it more effective to make a decision in a wider circle of states, primarily European and US, or international organizations. The manifestation of this position was the draft resolution of the European Parliament on the recognition of Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. Despite certain differences in political approaches, Polish society and politicians of different directions agree that the Russian leadership pursues an aggressive foreign policy, and not only towards Ukraine. There is an awareness that acts of international terror are one of the means of hybrid warfare in achieving political goals by the aggressor country.