Designating the Russian Federation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism Act
Oct 30, 2025
Oct 30, 2025
Summary
Requires the Secretary of State to label Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism if it does not return kidnapped Ukrainian children and stop its attacks.
What problem does this solve?
The Russian Federation is kidnapping Ukrainian children and attacking civilians in Ukraine and across Europe, which are acts of international terrorism. This bill requires labeling Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism unless it returns the children and stops its attacks, creating strong pressure to end these actions.
Who does this affect?
- The Russian Federation government
- Ukrainian children and their families
What does this bill do?
Requires designation of Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism
Mandates the Secretary of State to label the Russian Federation a state sponsor of terrorism if certain conditions are not met within 60 days.
Sets conditions to avoid the terrorism designation
Russia can avoid the designation if it returns all kidnapped Ukrainian children, helps them reintegrate, and stops all attacks on civilians and infrastructure in Ukraine and Europe.
Reference
Text:
Section:
Sec. 4
Header:
Rescission of the designation of the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism
Outlines how Russia can have the designation removed
The designation can be lifted if Russia stops supporting terrorism for 3 months, promises not to in the future, and has returned all kidnapped Ukrainian children.
Protects frozen Russian government assets from seizure
Prevents courts from allowing victims of Russian terrorism to take frozen Russian government money to satisfy legal judgments against Russia.
Lists Russia's actions that qualify as terrorism
Cites the kidnapping of over 19,000 Ukrainian children, attacks on civilians, and over 100 acts of sabotage across Europe as reasons for the designation.
What is the real world impact?
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Increases pressure on Russia to end its aggression
Aims to use the powerful 'state sponsor of terrorism' label to force Russia to stop its attacks and return thousands of kidnapped Ukrainian children by threatening severe economic and political penalties.
When does this start?
The law becomes active one day after it is signed, starting a 60-day countdown for the Secretary of State to act.
Deadline for Secretary of State's report
Within 60 days of the law taking effect, the Secretary of State must report to Congress on whether Russia has met the conditions to avoid being labeled a sponsor of terrorism.
Reference
Text:
Section:
Sec. 4
Header:
Rescission of the designation of the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism
Waiting period to remove the designation
If Russia is designated, the label can only be removed 45 days after the Secretary of State confirms to Congress that Russia has met all the required conditions.
Good behavior period for removing designation
To have the designation removed, Russia must prove it has not supported international terrorism for the previous 3-month period.