'No Question' Russia’s Forces Committed War Crimes In Ukraine — Ned Price

As the number of areas that war crimes investigators in Ukraine are examining for evidence of atrocities continues to rise following Ukraine`'s gains in the east, the State Department on Wednesday expressed its support to "all the efforts that are likely to end in accountability for the Russian officials responsible," spokesperson Ned Price told TURAN's Washington correspondent during daily press briefing.

"There is no question that Russia’s forces have committed war crimes. Russia’s forces have committed atrocities. Russia’s forces have committed what appear to be crimes against humanity," Price said in response to TURAN's questions.

Asked whether the Biden Administration was prepared to use the word "genocide" to describe Russia's actions, Price said that the State Department is working with international partners culling through the evidence that has been collected in an effort to analyze, to preserve it, and to disseminate it "so that we can support the global accountability mechanisms that are already in play."

"We support all of these and any other accountability efforts that are likely to end in accountability for the Russian officials responsible for this," he added.

The Biden administration is also discussing with Congress new economic measures to penalize Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. "We're discussing with Congress analogous measures," Price said, noting President Biden's statement last week that he would not approve designating Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism.

The move came as several Senators including Republican Lindsey Graham and Democrat Richard Blumen on Wednesday introduced a bill seeking to make Russia the fifth addition to the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism, joining North Korea, Iran, Syria and Cuba.

The designation would eliminate Russia’s sovereign immunity before U.S. courts and reduce foreign assistance and exports to the country, according to a release. 

“If Putin’s regime is not a State Sponsor of Terrorism after all this, then the designation is meaningless,” Graham said in a statement announcing the bill.

Alex Raufoglu

Washington D.C.