S 2805119th CongressIntroduced

Designating the Russian Federation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism Act

Introduced: Sep 15, 2025

Sponsor: Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC] (R-South Carolina)

Defense & National Security

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This bill, the Designating the Russian Federation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism Act, seeks to designate the Russian Federation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism (SSOT) if the Secretary of State cannot certify within 60 days that kidnapped Ukrainian children have been reunited with families and are being reintegrated into Ukrainian society. The designation would be made under existing U.S. authorities (NDAA 2019, Arms Export Control Act, and the Foreign Assistance Act) when certification fails. The bill also provides a path to rescind the designation after a 45-day period once the Secretary certifies that Russia has not supported international terrorism in the prior 3 months and that all kidnapped children have been reunited and reintegration is underway. The findings section lays out a narrative of Russia’s actions in Ukraine, including alleged kidnapping of Ukrainian children and broader “Russification” efforts.

Key Points

1Designation trigger: If the Secretary of State cannot certify within 60 days that kidnapped Ukrainian children have been reunified and reintegration is underway, the Secretary must designate the Russian Federation as an SSOT under specified statutes.
2Certification requirement: A report to Congress within 60 days assessing whether Ukrainian children who were kidnapped or forcibly removed have been reunited with families and reintegrated into Ukrainian society.
3Designation authorities: The designation would use established legal authorities (NDAA 2019, Arms Export Control Act, Foreign Assistance Act) and any other relevant law.
4Rescission mechanism: The Secretary may rescind the SSOT designation after 45 days if Russia has not supported international terrorism in the prior 3 months, assurances of non-support for terrorism, and all kidnapped children are reunited with reintegration underway.
5Legislative context: Findings emphasize alleged Russian actions against Ukraine, references to prior congressional resolutions urging designation, and the availability of other U.S. tools to hold Russia accountable.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- The Russian Federation (potentially subject to sanctions and restrictions associated with SSOT designation) and the government of Russia.- Ukraine and Ukrainian families, particularly those with kidnapped or displaced children, regarding reunification and reintegration efforts.- U.S. Department of State and its sanctions/foreign-policy toolkit; U.S. allies and partners coordinating on sanctions and diplomatic pressure.Secondary group/area affected- U.S. and international sanctions regimes and related compliance by businesses, financial institutions, and non-U.S. entities dealing with Russia.- Russian civil society and economy, especially sectors impacted by SSOT-related measures (e.g., defense, energy, and certain government-to-government engagements).Additional impacts- Potential effects on humanitarian assistance, refugee and migration dynamics, and international diplomacy related to Ukraine, peace talks, and accountability for war crimes.- Legal and diplomatic signaling: the bill would formalize U.S. intent to classify Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism contingent on certification outcomes, influencing future policy debates and allied coordination.

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