Some governors are pushing native retailers to cease promoting Russian merchandise in help of Ukraine because the nation continues to face an invasion by Russian forces.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott mentioned on Saturday that he requested retailers statewide to "voluntarily" cease promoting Russian merchandise in shops.

"I've requested the members of the Texas Restaurant Affiliation, Texas Package deal Shops Affiliation & all Texas retailers to voluntarily take away all Russian merchandise from their cabinets," he tweeted.

The push comes after Russia invaded Ukraine late Wednesday, prompting anti-war protests worldwide in help of the Japanese European nation.

In the same transfer, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine mentioned he ordered the halt of the acquisition and the sale of all vodka made by the corporate Russian Commonplace.

"At the moment I directed @OhioCommerce to stop each the acquisition & sale of all vodka made by Russian Commonplace, the one abroad, Russian-owned distillery with vodka offered in Ohio. Russian Commonplace's vodka is offered beneath the model names of Inexperienced Mark Vodka & Russian Commonplace Vodka," he wrote on Saturday.

The governor mentioned that Russian Commonplace is at present promoting round 6,400 bottles of vodka throughout the state's 487 liquor companies, in keeping with Ohio Liquor Management, a division of the Ohio Division of Commerce that manages the wholesale and retail operations of liquor throughout the state.

"Retailers have been requested to right away pull Inexperienced Mark Vodka and Russian Commonplace Vodka from their cabinets," he mentioned in one other tweet. "This morning I signed an Govt Order instructing @nhliquorwine retailers to start eradicating Russian-made and Russian-branded spirits from our liquor and wine retailers till additional discover."

Quite a lot of liquor shops in some states already started eradicating Russian merchandise off their cabinets. In Wichita, Kansas, Jacob Liquor Change has taken down all of its Russian vodka bottles.

"I believe the entire world is aware of by now that Russia's at warfare with Ukraine for no obvious purpose," Jamie Stratton, the shop's accomplice and wine director mentioned, in keeping with KSNW-TV. "I assume that is our sanction. We do not help it. There is not any purpose to help it. There is not any purpose for them to invade the Ukrainians."

In Grand Rapids, Michigan, Bob's Bar additionally stopped promoting the Russian vodka bottles.

"I imply, it is only a assertion. It isn't gonna trigger Vladimir [Putin] to maneuver out of Ukraine. However yeah, it is a small assertion on behalf of this native bar right here. It is what I can do," Bob Quay, the bar's proprietor, instructed WOOD-TV.

Different governors condemned Russia's assaults on Ukraine, together with New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy who tweeted on Saturday: "Over the previous few days, the Ukrainian folks have proven that they won't bow to thugs like Vladimir Putin. We stand with @ZelenskyyUa [Volodymyr Zelenskyy] in supporting a free and impartial Ukraine."

Equally, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson mentioned in a press release that the Russian president "must pay a value for this invasion and Russia must really feel the complete weight of the sanctions now."

"The remainder of the free world should help Ukraine. Europe must do extra," he mentioned. "We have to give Ukraine all of the defensive arms we are able to muster. Ukraine is aware of find out how to use them."

Hutchinson additionally referred to as on President Joe Biden to "push for essentially the most extreme sanctions now."

Biden on Thursday introduced that the U.S. and its European allies are imposing financial sanctions in opposition to Russia. The president mentioned that the brand new sanctions will goal Russia's largest banks, rich people, and can exclude the nation from the worldwide economic system.

"This can be a harmful second for all of Europe," Biden mentioned, describing Putin's resolution to invade Ukraine as "a sinister imaginative and prescient for the remainder of the world."

Newsweek contacted the Ohio Commerce Division and the Texas Restaurant Affiliation for feedback and can replace the story as soon as a response is obtained.

Retailers asked to Stop Selling Russian products
Some states together with Texas and Ohio started asking retailers to cease promoting Russian merchandise in a bid to strain President Vladimir Putin to halt his assault in opposition to Ukraine. Above, bottles of Russian champagne are seen in a small store in central Moscow on July 3, 2021.Picture by ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP by way of Getty Photos