Two U.S. Senators from opposite sides of the aisle are teaming up to pass a resolution to urge the Secretary of State to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism.

Senators Richard Blumenthal and Lindsey Graham say that Ukraine asked the U.S. to designate Russia as a terrorist country, and that doing so would show Ukraine it has the full support of the United States.

“Putin is a thug and a criminal,” Blumenthal said. “That’s why our own national security is at risk.”

“This designation will matter in U.S. law. There are only four other countries that have such designation,” Graham added.

Russia is accused of committing war crimes, such as intentionally targeting civilians in Ukraine. Graham says that he believes that Putin’s goal is to “recreate the Soviet empire of the former Soviet Union as much as he can.”

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