Zelenksyy the Ukrainian president has asked for the Biden administration’s designation Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism, two sources familiar with the discussions told NBC News. 

Zelenskyy made the request in a recent phone conversation with President Joe Biden, the sources said.

According to sources, this request didn’t have the same priority that urgent appeals for more arms and energy sanctions against Russia.

The Washington Post reported this request for the first time.

Last month, I was asked if the U.S. might consider designingating Russia a state sponsor of terrorism, White House press secretary Jen Psaki and Secretary of State Antony Blinken both left open the possibility.

Blinken stated that “We are” and would look at all things on March 17.

At the moment, four countries appear on U.S. State Sponsors of Terrorism List: Iran (North Korea), Syria, and Cuba.

This designation creates the possibility of some the most severe sanctions that the U.S. could impose on a country. These include restrictions on foreign aid, financial transactions, and exports or sales to defense.

Russia has been subject to severe sanctions by the Biden government, which includes blocking it from accessing roughly half of its foreign reserve. We don’t know how this designation will impact Russia’s economic situation.

Some legal experts believe that if Biden lists Russia as a sponsor for terrorism, any individual or company could seek access to the Russian government’s frozen or blocked assets if they win a court case against Russia. 

It could remove diplomatic immunity from Russian officials and permit families of terror victims to bring lawsuits against Russian officials before U.S. courts.

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