Governor Wolf: Pennsylvania Supports Ukraine and Will Continue Support and Efforts to Sever Financial Ties with Russia

Governor Tom Wolf said today that Pennsylvania stands with Ukraine and he pledged to continue taking action to support the country as it bravely endures a horrific and unjust invasion by Russia. The governor highlighted the steps he immediately took to sanction Russia, his support for fully disengaging itself financially from Russia, and the open arms of the Commonwealth to Ukrainians fleeing the conflict.

“Frances and I have watched the news and seen the devastation inflicted on the Ukrainian people. It is abundantly clear that the Ukrainian people are strong and united as a nation, but it is heartbreaking that they have been forced into this war – and forced to endure the loss, destruction and death that war brings — by Russia,” Gov. Wolf said. “The people of Ukraine have shown immense courage and bravery, which should never have been needed. Pennsylvania stands with Ukraine. I will do everything in my power to ensure Pennsylvania’s support for Ukraine and also sever ties with Russia.

Pennsylvania is home to more than 122,000 Ukrainians, the second largest US state.

“I sincerely thank the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and personally Governor Wolf for taking the initiative to adopt such a strong response to Russia’s brutal aggression against Ukraine and terror against the entire world” , said the Honorary Consulate of Ukraine in Philadelphia Iryna Mazur. “Pennsylvania is sending a strong message of support for Ukraine by completely divesting all public funds from Russia. The entire Ukrainian American community in the Commonwealth is extremely grateful to have shown such a level of support for Ukraine.

In recent years, we have deepened our trade relations with Ukraine. With the support of the Pennsylvania Office of International Business Development under the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), Ukrainian companies have chosen to locate in Pennsylvania.

Ukraine has developed world-class companies in sectors as diverse as IT, food production and concrete paving.

DCED began actively reaching out to their business community because we saw an opportunity for Pennsylvania to help Ukrainian businesses expand into the US market.

“Over the past year, we have worked with the local Lviv Chamber of Commerce and the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine on a webinar for Kyiv businesses and have actively engaged the Ukrainian business community on business opportunities and investment in Pennsylvania,” said David Briel. , Deputy Secretary of the DCED’s Office of International Business Development. “The Commonwealth has the second-largest Ukrainian and Ukrainian-American population in the United States. Pennsylvania also shares many historical commonalities with Ukraine, including a well-developed industrial base, a highly skilled workforce, and rich agricultural land.”

“Today, Ukraine is waging a war not for its independence but a war for the entire democratic world; fighting alone and achieving phenomenal success in the fight against Russian terror,” said Viktor Kolesnyk, general manager of Orange Pavers, a concrete pavers and stone products manufacturing facility in Stroudsburg, Monroe County. . “I want to thank Governor Wolf and his team for their support of all the people of Ukraine and for making every effort to isolate Russia and Russian businesses on American soil.”

Pennsylvania stands ready to support Ukrainians fleeing their country and would welcome them here to the Commonwealth.

“I have repeatedly joined President Biden and other leaders around the world in condemning Russia’s unprovoked and unwarranted invasion of Ukraine, and we have and will continue to take real and meaningful action to support Ukraine,” Governor Wolf said. “I strongly support adding Russia to the list of countries we legally divest from. Pennsylvania is also prepared to accept Ukrainians fleeing violence. You are safe and welcome here.

The governor supports clean legislation to add Russia to the list of countries we divest from all public funds by law, such as the concept recently announced by House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff.

The governor also supports legislation providing $2 million in public funds to provide quick and flexible support to Ukrainians fleeing the conflict who may come to Pennsylvania.

From day one, Governor Wolf has supported Ukraine and will continue to do everything in his power to support the country and its people.

Pennsylvania is one of the biggest buyers of alcohol in the United States, and Governor Wolf was one of the first governors to call for an end to the sale of Russian-made liquor in state stores. , which was quickly implemented.

Governor Wolf successfully called on the Pennsylvania State Employee Retirement System and the Public School Employee Retirement System to divest from Russia.

Governor Wolf applauded Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity for her commitment to turn state investments over to Russian companies.

Under the governor’s direction, agencies under his jurisdiction review contracts to ensure that there are no contracts with Russia.