Senate DFLers Strongly Back Measure to Terminate State Contracts, Investments in Russia, Belarus

Say Those Countries Must be Held Accountable for Fallout from Russia’s Deadly, Unprovoked Attack on Ukraine

Senate DFL Leader Melisa López Franzen (DFL-Edina)  said today that Senate DFLers stood strongly behind Ukraine in its fight against deadly Russian aggression when the caucus supported efforts to terminate all State of Minnesota contracts and investments relating to Russia and its ally Belarus.

“The world has condemned the deadly, unprovoked attacks by Russia against Ukraine, and Senate DFLers are adding our voice to that condemnation by supporting the State of Minnesota’s divestment of contracts and investments related to Russia and its ally Belarus,” said Leader López Franzen. “This has been a bipartisan effort to ensure Minnesota does its part in strongly opposing Russian violence and aggression.  We have to send a message – in no uncertain terms – that Russia must be held accountable for actions that have already killed thousands and displaced millions of peaceful Ukrainian citizens.”

“Today, by acting against Russia, we speak for every Minnesotan who has been horrified by the deadly Russian attacks on the people of Ukraine.” said Senator Kari Dziedzic (DFL-Minneapolis). “There are 17,000 Ukrainian-Minnesotans, and many of them who live in my district are worried about the devastating impact Russian aggression is having not only on the country but on their family members living in Ukraine. By holding Vladimir Putin accountable, we are standing with the brave people of Ukraine.”

The measure passed today requires the State of Minnesota and all State agencies to divest investments in Russia and Belarus, and to terminate contracts with entities related to those countries. It requires the State Board of Investment to report progress on divestment actions.

Senator Melisa López Franzen
Melisa López Franzen represents District 49 in the southwest Twin Cities metropolitan area.

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Senator Kari Dziedzic
Kari Dziedzic represents District 60, which includes Seward, Cedar Riverside, Southeast and Northeast Minneapolis.

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