U.S. governors of both parties enact measures against Russia in response to invasion of Ukraine

In response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, governors around the United States and from both parties have ordered entities within their jurisdictions to sever economic ties to Russia.

In Virginia, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin asked the Virginia Retirement System and the commonwealth's universities to divest all holdings in the Russian ruble and securities in Russian companies.

"The invasion of Ukraine by Soviet dictator Vladimir Putin cannot stand, and the people of the Commonwealth are ready to rally in opposition to this senseless attack on a sovereign nation and Western ideals," Youngkin said. "Today, we are acting to show our solidarity with the Ukrainian people as they defend their country."

Additionally, Youngkin asked the cities of Norfolk and Roanoke to sever their partnerships with cities in Russia. 

In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom urged government entities to divest from Russian investments. In a letter to public employee and retirement systems, Newsom asked officials to curtail Russia's access to California money. 

"Russia's brazen and lawless military assault on Ukraine demands our support for the Ukrainian people and exacting an immediate and severe cost upon the Russian government in response to its continuing aggression," Newsom wrote.

In Colorado, the state's public employee pension fund will withdraw more than $7.2 million held in a Russian bank. In North Carolina, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper on Monday ordered state agencies to end all contracts that benefit Russia.

States and counties around the country have announced they would remove Russian-sourced vodka from liquor stores. Among them are Virginia and Montgomery County in Maryland.