U.S. states push to ban the sale of Russian vodka in protest of Russia's invasion of Ukraine

Several U.S. governors have banned the sales of Russian-made vodkas in their state-run liquor stores in a move meant to show support for Ukraine as the Kremlin continues to wage an illegal war on its southern neighbor, Reuters reported.

On Sunday, Virginia announced its state-run alcoholic beverage stores would no longer sell Russian-based vodka brands – a move which mirrored decisions taken by states including Utah, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maryland.

“In the spirit of Gov. Youngkin’s call for decisive action in support of Ukraine, Virginia ABC is removing Russian-sourced vodka brands from our store shelves,” the store said Sunday via an email blast and in a Facebook post.

On Saturday, Youngkin said Saturday that the “invasion of Ukraine by Soviet dictator Vladimir Putin cannot stand,” moments before announcing legislation that would effectively cut Virginia’s ties with the Moscow.

The Commonwealth’s ban includes brands Beluga, Hammer & Sickle, Imperia, Mamont, Organika, Russian Standard and ZYR – but brands with Russian names that are produced elsewhere, such as Stolichnaya and Smirnoff, will remain on store shelves.

On Saturday, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed an executive order requiring the state’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to immediately remove all Russian-made and Russian-branded products from store shelves.

“Russia’s ruthless attack on a sovereign nation is an egregious violation of human rights,” the governor said in a statement. “Utah stands in solidarity with Ukraine and will not support Russian enterprises, no matter how small the exchange.”

"We will do our part to push back on the Russian invaders and stand with our sisters and brothers in Ukraine," he added.

Although the move to ban Russian vodka has been well received by Americans, the move is ultimately symbolic. According to the Distilled Sprits Council of the United States, only 1.2% of U.S. vodka importas actually came from Russia in the first half of 2021 – accounting for only $18.5 million of the $1.4 billion of total vodka imports.

Today, many Russian-styled vodkas sold throughout the world are made in other countries, including the United States.

That hasn’t stopped U.S. lawmakers from taking a stand, however.

In Texas, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott urged liquor stores and restaurants to stop serving Russian-made products on a voluntary basis.

"Texas stands with Ukraine," he said in a Twitter message.