US diplomat: Recognizing Russia as state sponsor of terrorism could be counterproductive

Ambassador Julianne Smith, U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO, said this during a special online briefing, Ukrinform reports, referring to the Voice of America.

"Certainly from the U.S. perspective, I think you've heard President Biden and others across the administration comment on this. […] And the feeling in Washington is that this really isn't necessary at the moment, and, in fact, could be perhaps counterproductive in the sense that it could inhibit or hinder our ability, for example, to either get humanitarian assistance into Ukraine or some of the grain out of Ukraine," Smith said, answering questions from journalists.

She said that for that reason, the focus of the United States, in working closely with many partners and allies around the world, has been to turn to sanctions and to identify ways in which additional sanctions can be imposed in order to put that added pressure on Putin and his government, the regime in Moscow; "but also to look for ways to really apply pressure on their economy and, in fact, prohibit the Russian military from advancing or building new capabilities in the wake of this war."

"So the focus there has been a combination of sanctions, export controls, et cetera," Smith said.