The NRSC chair is taking a hardline on Russian aggression across the world, citing their use of violence against their enemies in various countries.
Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) called for the State Department to designate the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terror, in an appearance on Fox News on Tuesday.
Listing example after example of Russian aggression across the world, Gardner said he would introduce legislation to require the State Department to evaluate whether the Kremlin has backed terrorism.
The senator told Fox that the United States needs to go beyond sanctions and take action against the country’s efforts to destabilize its adversaries. Describing Moscow as “complicit” in the recent Syrian chemical attack, Gardner also slammed Russia for its aggression in Europe and the United States.
“Look what [the Russians] have carried out – chemical attacks in the United Kingdom, on European soil. Look what they have done in Ukraine. Look what they have done in Georgia. Look what they’re trying to do throughout eastern Europe,” he said.
Gardner also cited Russia’s interference in the 2016 election as an attack on western democracies.
