New York orders Russia sanctions, welcomes Ukraine refugees

The governor also said New York will welcome Ukrainian refugees in response to Russia's invasion, noting at a press conference in Albany that her state is home to the largest Ukrainian population in the U.S.

Associated Press

Feb 28, 2022, 12:49 AM

Updated 800 days ago

Share:

NEW YORK - New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed an executive order Sunday forbidding her state from doing business with Russia, including cancelling its investments there.
The governor also said New York will welcome Ukrainian refugees in response to Russia's invasion, noting at a press conference in Albany that her state is home to the largest Ukrainian population in the U.S.
“We have said we’ll open up our hearts, our homes, our resources to the people of the Ukraine, to say, ‘We stand with you,’” Hochul said. Federal estimates show that around 140,000 of the more than 1 million people in the U.S. who report Ukrainian ancestry live in New York.
“If you need a place to stay, you want to come over here, we will help you become integrated into our community,” she said, “as we have been open so to so many other refugees in the past, including those from Afghanistan most recently.”
Hochul didn’t immediately get into specifics regarding her state's economic sanctions against Moscow - including how much the state has invested in Russian entities - but pointed out that New York’s economy is larger than that of Russia.
The governor’s executive order means the state “will not permit its own investment activity, whether directly or indirectly, to aid Russia as it commits these human rights violations and atrocities.”
Ukraine filed a case at the United Nations’ highest court accusing Russia of planning genocide.
“We strongly condemn the action of Putin and Russia for this unprovoked attack which is now leading to atrocities against innocent human beings, and that is not tolerable,” Hochul said.
New York's sanctions follow those issued by President Joe Biden last week targeting Russia’s financial system. Biden said the U.S. will block assets of large Russian banks, impose export controls aimed at the nation’s high-tech needs and sanction its business oligarchs.
It was not immediately known how much money the sanctions could represent, but Hochul said she wants state agencies to review contracts and assets to be sure that taxpayer money isn't being used to indirectly fund Russia's invasion of the Ukraine.
Hochul ordered state agencies to divest money and assets from investments in companies or institutions determined to be a “Russian or supporting entity." And she forbid the state from doing business with such entities.
The executive order defined a supporting entity as any institution or company that is aiding Russia in its war against the Ukraine.
By BOBBY CAINA CALVAN


More from News 12
1:52
​NYPD: Cyclist hit by car door, then run over by school bus

​NYPD: Cyclist hit by car door, then run over by school bus

2:10
Mild temps to close out week ahead of some weekend rain

Mild temps to close out week ahead of some weekend rain

0:59
NYC public school chancellor testifies to Congress over rise in antisemitism in schools

NYC public school chancellor testifies to Congress over rise in antisemitism in schools

2:01
Four smoke shops busted in city-wide crackdown on illegal weed shops

Four smoke shops busted in city-wide crackdown on illegal weed shops

0:53
Pay-by-Plate parking meters coming to NYC

Pay-by-Plate parking meters coming to NYC

1:47
East Flatbush friends, neighbors mourn loss of teen fatally shot in Manhattan

East Flatbush friends, neighbors mourn loss of teen fatally shot in Manhattan

1:17
Authorities: 2 teen suspects wanted in connection to Williamsburg stabbing

Authorities: 2 teen suspects wanted in connection to Williamsburg stabbing

0:25
State Sen. Zellnor Myrie opening an exploratory committee to consider running for mayor

State Sen. Zellnor Myrie opening an exploratory committee to consider running for mayor

0:37
BRIC reveals Celebrate Brooklyn! summer concert lineup

BRIC reveals Celebrate Brooklyn! summer concert lineup

1:56
City efforts Bike Bus initiative to promote safe cycling for students in NYC

City efforts Bike Bus initiative to promote safe cycling for students in NYC

1:47
Prospect Park Zoo nears reopening after almost 8 months

Prospect Park Zoo nears reopening after almost 8 months

1:43
Garden Guide: These plants repel weeds and are a natural fertilizer!

Garden Guide: These plants repel weeds and are a natural fertilizer!

0:27
NYC Ferry brings 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' onboard with Hogwarts-branded ferries

NYC Ferry brings 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' onboard with Hogwarts-branded ferries

1:29
Attorney discusses difficulties tenants could face following Bushwick fire

Attorney discusses difficulties tenants could face following Bushwick fire

1:53
Moving forward: Runner describes emotional, physical recoveries ahead of RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon

Moving forward: Runner describes emotional, physical recoveries ahead of RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon

1:50
NYPD: Man found floating in Coney Island Channel pronounced dead

NYPD: Man found floating in Coney Island Channel pronounced dead

0:25
MTA announces new strategy to improve transit infrastructure for B and D train lines

MTA announces new strategy to improve transit infrastructure for B and D train lines

0:24
NYPD: Man wanted for shooting 19-year-old in Bushwick

NYPD: Man wanted for shooting 19-year-old in Bushwick

0:31
Member of Trinitarios gang sentenced to life for murder of Bronx man on Long Island

Member of Trinitarios gang sentenced to life for murder of Bronx man on Long Island

1:52
UFT: More than 850 Title I schools have the space to meet NY’s class size law

UFT: More than 850 Title I schools have the space to meet NY’s class size law