US may designate Russia as state sponsor of terrorism - State Department

The US Department of State does not rule out the possibility of labeling Russia a state sponsor of terrorism, which provides for the imposition of additional sanctions and restrictions.

US State Department spokesman Ned Price said this at a briefing in Washington, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"We're taking a close look at the facts. We're taking a close look at the law. Whether it is this authority, whether it's any other authority available to us under the law, we will apply it if it's effective and appropriate," he said when asked if the introduction of this power remains on the table.

This status is given by the Department of State to countries that have "repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism." There are only four countries that are currently labeled state sponsors of terrorism by the US: North Korea, Iran, Cuba and Syria.