WASHINGTON. Sept 16 (Interfax) - The United States Department of State is opposed to designating Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism because it could produce some unintended harmful consequences which Washington would like to avoid, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.
"I think you know our position on the state sponsorship of terrorism designation [...] virtually all the penalties, sanctions, and pressure that could be exerted through that we are already doing. [...] There are problems over using this particular vehicle - state sponsorship of terrorism designation that may have unintended consequences that are not only not helpful, but they may even be harmful," Blinken said on Friday.
At the same time, the sanctions imposed on Russia, particularly those concerning oil exports, are "having a profound effect on Russia, that's growing every single day, and it's going to be heavier and heavier," he said.
The White House also said in early September that it would not put Russia on its list of state sponsors of terrorism.