Designating the Russian Federation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism Act

This bill pushes the U.S. to label Russia a “state sponsor of terrorism” unless kidnapped Ukrainian children are safely returned and reintegrated. Within 60 days of the bill becoming law, the Secretary of State must report whether these children have been reunited with their families in a safe setting and are on a clear path back into Ukrainian society. If not, the Secretary must immediately add Russia to the terrorism sponsor list under existing U.S. laws named in the bill . The bill cites reports that thousands of Ukrainian children have been taken, with some sent to camps or groups that try to erase their Ukrainian identity and prepare them for military service .

The label can be removed only after the Secretary certifies to Congress that Russia has gone at least three months without supporting international terrorism, has promised not to do so in the future, and that all kidnapped children have been safely reunited and are being fully reintegrated. Removal can happen 45 days after that certification .

• Who is affected: Ukrainian children and families; the Russian government; the U.S. Secretary of State who must act on timelines set in the bill .
• What changes: A required check on child reunification and reintegration; if not met, an immediate terrorism-sponsor designation under specified U.S. laws; clear steps for removing the label later .
• When: Report due within 60 days of enactment; removal possible 45 days after the Secretary’s later certification, which itself requires a prior 3-month period without support for terrorism .