After Youngkin's statement, VA ABC removes seven Russian products
This is a response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
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In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Governor Glenn Youngkin instructed the Department of General Services to do a review and find out where Virginia tax dollars are being spent on goods and services from Russia. He also called on the cities of Norfolk and Roanoke to end their sister-city partnerships with Russian cities.
“The invasion of Ukraine by Soviet dictator Vladimir Putin cannot stand, and the people of the Commonwealth are ready to rally in opposition to this senseless attack on a sovereign nation and western ideals,” Gov. Youngkin said. “Today, we are acting to show our solidarity with the Ukrainian people as they defend their country. And while these are important steps, it is incumbent upon President Biden to take a stronger, more decisive leadership position to end this war.”
Virginia’s alcohol regulatory agency, Virginia ABC, announced Sunday morning that they have removed seven different Russian products from their inventory. “In the spirit of Gov. Youngkin’s call for decisive action in support of Ukraine, Virginia ABC is removing 7 Russian-sourced vodka brands from our store shelves. Russian-themed brands not produced in Russia like Stolichnaya and Smirnoff will not be removed.”
Youngkin also called on Norfolk to end their sister-city relationship with Kaliningrad and Roanoke to end theirs with Pskov.
The Roanoke Valley Sister Cities organization sent the governor a letter in response trying to change his mind. “This is not the time to tell our friends in Pskov that we want to sever our ties with them,” RVSC wrote. “While we may not agree with the politics in Russia, or in the countries of any of our Sister Cities for that matter, we do not get involved with politics nor take a political stand on any issue.”
Additionally, Youngin called on the Virginia Retirement System Board of Trustees and university endowment funds to divest in a prudent and orderly fashion any and all holdings of the Russian Ruble and any and all securities of Russian companies.
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