ST. PAUL, MN– Senate DFL Leader Melisa López Franzen said today that the Senate DFL Caucus strongly supports Governor Tim Walz’s push to punish Russia for its “unprovoked and illegal” deadly aggression against Ukraine by ensuring the State of Minnesota terminates all contracts with Russian entities and refrains from entering into future contracts.
The Governor on Friday issued an Executive Order ensuring State purchases of goods and services don’t aid Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The order also encouraged companies and organization’s across Minnesota to assess taking similar actions.
“The DFL Caucus strongly backs Governor Walz’s effort to punish Russian aggression against Ukraine and we support his order to end any State of Minnesota contracts with Russia,” said Leader López Franzen (DFL-Edina). “Minnesota, along with the rest of world, is witnessing the horrific Russian attacks and the deadly and destructive impact they are having on the people of Ukraine, and our state needs to demonstrate that we stand with Ukraine. Like the Governor, we urge all Minnesotans to support their Ukrainian neighbors and donate to organizations supporting Ukrainian humanitarian efforts.”
“We have to send a strong message that Minnesota stands with the Ukrainian people against Russia’s unprovoked attacks and the Governor is taking decisive action to do so,” said Senator Kari Dziedzic (DFL-Minneapolis). “It also tells Ukrainian-Minnesotans who have family members in Ukraine that we are standing with them as well. This is an important step not only for our state, but also for Minnesotans with ties to Ukraine.”
