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2022 SESSION

22107330D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 189
Offered March 3, 2022
Expressing the sense of the General Assembly on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
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Patrons-- Reeves, Barker, Ebbin, Edwards, Newman, Peake, Ruff, Spruill and Stuart; Delegates: Avoli, Ballard, Bennett-Parker, Bulova, Cherry, Clark, Convirs-Fowler, Durant, Guzman, Head, Hope, Jenkins, Maldonado, McQuinn, Orrock, Rasoul, Reid, Runion, Scott, P.A., Shin, Sickles, Taylor, Watts, Willett, Wright and Wyatt
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Unanimous consent to introduce
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, on February 24, 2022, the Russian Federation launched an unprovoked invasion of the sovereign nation of Ukraine; and

WHEREAS, after staging as many as 200,000 troops on Ukraine's borders over the course of several months, Russian forces invaded Ukraine along multiple lines of advance in the north, south, and east, with an intent to seize key cities and depose the democratically elected government; and

WHEREAS, reports indicate that after failing to achieve its initial objectives, the Russian military has resorted to launching indiscriminate rocket attacks on populated cities and intentionally targeting civilian infrastructure in some areas; and

WHEREAS, tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees have fled into Poland and other European countries, and ongoing conflict could lead to a humanitarian crisis of an incredible magnitude; and

WHEREAS, Russian forces have seized the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Shelter Structure after intense fighting in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, presenting the possibility of an environmental disaster that could affect all of Europe; and

WHEREAS, the President of the United States has condemned this attack, imposed economic sanctions on Russia, and authorized the provision of additional military aid to Ukraine, and countries around the world have taken similar measures; and

WHEREAS, the Governor of Virginia has directed an immediate review of the Commonwealth's procurement of any and all goods and services involving Russian companies, called for Virginia mayors to terminate sister city partnerships with Russian cities, and urged the Virginia Retirement System and university endowments to divest any Russian holdings immediately; and

WHEREAS, leaders from both major political parties in the Commonwealth have condemned Russia's unjustified attack on Ukraine and support measures to discourage further aggression; and

WHEREAS, the members of the General Assembly and individuals throughout the Commonwealth have watched as the Ukrainian Armed Forces have fought gallantly against Russian military might and the Ukrainian people have courageously resisted the occupying force; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the members of the General Assembly proudly stand alongside Ukraine, its people, and its leaders during this horrific and unnecessary war and vow to support Ukraine and hold the Russian Federation and Vladimir Putin fully accountable for the catastrophic decision to invade; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the General Assembly condemns in the strongest possible terms the Russian Federation's violent attack on the people of Ukraine and strongly endorses the swift and severe economic sanctions and stringent export controls that President Biden's administration has imposed on the Russian Federation; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the General Assembly urge the Russian Federation to immediately cease its violent, illegal, and immoral assault upon Ukraine, end the needless bloodshed, and return to diplomacy and the rules-based international order that has ensured peace and prosperity for people around the world; and, be it

RESOLVED FINALLY, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit a copy of this resolution to representatives of Ukraine, requesting that they further disseminate copies of this resolution to their respective constituents so that they may be apprised of the sense of the General Assembly of Virginia in this matter.