Minnesota Cuts Ties With Russia

(KNSI) – Minnesota state agencies have canceled contracts with Russian companies and are barred from making any future agreements. Governor Tim Walz signed the executive order on Friday to condemn Russian aggression against Ukraine and support the people of Ukraine.

The governor also encourages other companies, organizations, and individuals to end contracts with Russian groups and not to make any future agreements.

“Minnesota stands firmly with Ukraine and strongly condemns the Russian government’s actions,” said Governor Walz. “Today, I signed an Executive Order directing my cabinet agencies to stop doing business with Russian entities to help ensure that our state does not aid the Russian government’s aggression against Ukraine. I encourage other individuals, companies, and organizations to stand with their Ukrainian neighbors and end support to Russian entities. I also urge Minnesotans to support our fellow Russian Minnesotans, many of whom are horrified and alarmed by the Russian government’s aggression toward Ukraine.”

Minnesota’s move comes after President Joe Biden’s announced sanctions against Russia for the invasion of Ukraine. Those sanctions include cutting off Russian financial institutions’ to global banking, banning technology exports to critical Russia, and barring Russian state-owned companies from raising money in the United States.

___