It seems like a logical thing to do. It seems like it is a formal declaration that is long overdue. Two senators have written a proposal to declare Russia a state sponsor of terrorism. The proposal isn’t a law yet but Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) think that when it comes to the floor of the Senate for a vote, it will be approved unanimously.

Ukrainian President Zelensky accepted a copy of the proposal from the two senators in Kyiv. Theirs is believed to be the first bipartisan congressional delegation to travel to Kyiv since the war began. “Bicameral and bipartisan support is really important for Ukraine. We feel it, we feel this unity,” Zelensky said, according to a readout from his office. He asked the senators for air defense systems. Zelensky pointed out the need for security support so that women and children can return to Ukraine by September 1 and children can go back to school.

The President informed the representatives of the United States Senate about the situation on the front, which is certainly difficult, yet controlled, and about the existing plans the implementation of which directly depends on the further intensity of security support for Ukraine from international partners.

During the meeting, the President separately emphasized the importance of creating the necessary security conditions that would make the educational process possible in educational institutions.

“The number one task for us today is for women with children to be able to return to Ukraine by September 1, so that children can go to school, so that students do not leave and can go to universities. It is very important for us to do two things – to repair schools, universities, and also to have a powerful air defense,” he said.

In this regard, Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on senators to back the decision on providing Ukraine with modern air defense systems.

“First of all, we appeal to you so that the Congress supports Ukraine in the matter of supplying modern air defense systems. We must ensure such a level of sky security that our people are not afraid to live in Ukraine,” said the Head of State.

During the meeting, the parties separately touched upon the issue of increasing sanctions pressure on the aggressor state. Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal informed Volodymyr Zelenskyy about the work they are carrying out in the Senate with the aim of recognizing the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism.

The President thanked the senators for this important activity and emphasized Ukraine’s readiness for further close coordination of activities with partners on the sanctions track.

It isn’t surprising that Zelensky asked for air defense systems. His consistent request since Putin invaded Ukraine has been for military equipment. He never asked for troops on the ground but for the equipment to fight the Russian forces. He probably had a willing partner in Senator Graham, as he is a hawkish politician.

Blumenthal cited photos he saw of suspected atrocities by Russian forces in the Kyiv satellite town of Bucha in March as evidence that Russia deserved the designation. Ukrainian and international prosecutors are investigating who is responsible.

“If that isn’t terrorism, I don’t know what is,” he said.

Graham voiced support for a Ukrainian victory in turning back Russian forces if they receive the right weapons from the United States. Meanwhile, Putin is threatening the West while still claiming to be open to peace talks (!).

Graham emphasized the need for urgency in weapons shipments, echoing Ukrainian officials’ calls for expedited deliveries as they try to hold parts of the eastern Donbas region coveted by Moscow.

“We have a chance here in the next 60 days … the decisions we make can turn the tide of this war in favor of Ukraine,” Graham said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia had barely got started in Ukraine and dared the West to try to defeat it on the battlefield, while insisting that Moscow was still open to the idea of peace talks.

If the resolution passes in the Senate and eventually becomes law, the economic implications for Russia are severe. The same goes for countries engaging with Russia. So far, Russia hasn’t suffered the economic costs the Biden administration promised from sanctions and other actions to shut down financial transactions with the Russian government.

“The impacts would be quite severe,” said Jason M. Blazakis, professor of practice at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, in an interview. “It would likely expand the types of materiel that could not go to Russia. Dual-export restrictions are a key aspect of the SST [State Sponsor of Terrorism] regime.

“Second, and perhaps even more important, adding Russia to the State Sponsor of Terrorism regime would have implications for every government that continues to engage in any exchange, especially defense-related, with Russia. The SST listing would have secondary effects for countries engaged in such exchanges and they would become a target of secondary sections unless the President issued a waiver to exempt the activity.”

Kyiv has been a popular destination for congressional delegations. Mitch McConnell and Nancy Pelosi were recent visitors (separately) and last week Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) the ranking member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee met with Zelensky in Kyiv. Risch also toured some war-torn spots on the outskirts of Kyiv.