A bipartisan group of state lawmakers in Minnesota introduced legislation to terminate the state’s connections to Russia amid the country’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
According to a release from State Senator Karin Housley (R–Stillwater), the legislation would “divest Minnesota’s state pension fund from Russia and codify Governor Walz’s Executive Order barring Minnesota from contracting with Russian companies into law,” if fully enacted.
Russia has launched an offensive against the sovereign country that has resulted in the deaths hundreds of civilians, including women and children. Reports have shown hospitals and schools reduced to rubble.
“Today’s legislation and its bipartisan support shows that Minnesota stands firmly with the people of Ukraine and our 17,000 Ukrainian-American neighbors,” State Representative Sydney Jordan (DFL–Minneapolis), the author of the bill. “We’re joining an ever-growing list of democracies in responding to the atrocities committed by Russia’s government, not only because standing against tyranny is always the right thing to do, but because we can’t allow a single cent from our state to possibly line the pockets of oligarchs who sanction the murder of innocent civilians.”
Across the country, national and state leaders have moved to dissolve ties with Russia. President Joe Biden announced a ban on the purchase of Russian oil and certain traded goods.
Some state governors have called for the removal of Russian-made vodka.
“My heart absolutely breaks for the Ukrainian families who are suffering right now,” Sen. Housley added. “This bill demonstrates that we stand with Ukraine and with free democracies across the world who have the right to exist in peace. It’s our hope that we can quickly make this bill law to end any and all financial support from Minnesota that may be used by Russian leaders to fund their aggressive actions in Ukraine.”
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Minnesota Sun and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
