Some governors aren’t waiting for the federal government to dole out additional punishments against Russia for invading Ukraine in an unprovoked war of aggression.
Virginia’s Glenn Youngkin happens to be one of them.
Over the weekend, Youngkin urged Virginia businesses and local governments to cut ties with Russian entities.
Richmond’s WRIC reports:
In a statement on Feb. 26, the governor said he was directing the Department of General Services, which oversees the state’s contracts with private companies, to determine whether any public money was being spent on “goods and services from primarily Russian companies.”
Youngkin also called on Norfolk and Roanoke to end their “sister city” arrangements with two Russian cities. That call was echoed by Norfolk mayor Kenny Alexander, although the final decision to cut ties lies with the Norfolk’s Sister City Association.
“The people of the Commonwealth are ready to rally in opposition to this senseless attack on a sovereign nation and western ideals,” Youngkin said.
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While Youngkin does not directly oversee investments by the Virginia Retirement Fund and the state’s public universities, he called on the governing bodies of both to end their investments in Russian companies.