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Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order No. 251 on Monday, February 28 in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The order directs state government agencies and departments to review all existing contracts and operations and to terminate any agreements or operations that directly benefit Russian entities.

“The invasion of Ukraine is an attack on a free people. This order sends a strong message and helps ensure no public dollars or operations from North Carolina will benefit Russia and its unjustified aggression,” said Cooper. “Our state stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine as they fight courageously against a tyrant to defend their country, their democracy and their freedom.”

A press release from the governor’s office noted that the Executive Order covers all state government agencies and departments over which the governor has executive authority, as well as state entities for which the governor appoints the chief executive or a majority of the board members.

“Other state entities and local governments in North Carolina are strongly encouraged to adopt similar policies, including divesting from Russian assets to ensure that public dollars and operations do not benefit Russia and avoiding new contracts with Russian entities,” stated the release.

The release stated the executive order includes, but is not limited to:

Alcohol Sales: The North Carolina ABC Commission is directed to review its list of approved products for any produced by Russian entities and to suspend the approval of such products as quickly as practicable.

Purchase and Contract: The Department of Administration, Division of Purchase and Contract is directed to terminate any such contracts with Russian entities as quickly as practicable if they are identified.

“Currently available information from the North Carolina ABC Commission suggests that three alcohol brands – Hammer & Sickle, Beluga, and Russian Standard – would be subject to this Executive Order,” stated the release.

Read the Executive Order here.

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