WHEREAS, on February 24, 2022, the Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an unprovoked, unjustified assault on the peaceful sovereign nation of Ukraine and its people; and
WHEREAS, I join leaders across the nation and around the world in condemning these attacks and express my support for Ukraine and its people, its democracy and its right to self-determination; and
WHEREAS, I know there is little Vermont, 4,500 miles away from Kyiv, can do or say to impact the horror that has been unleashed against the people of Ukraine by the regime in Moscow, but we must be ready to assist, provide humanitarian aid and stand firmly and resolutely with our Allies against this brazen attempt to weaken democracy everywhere; and
WHEREAS, Vermont stands ready to welcome and accept any Ukrainians who need refuge while their nation fights for its freedom; and
WHEREAS, the State cannot permit its purchasing and investment activity to aid Russia as it commits atrocities against the Ukrainian people; and
WHEREAS, the State Treasurer has taken swift action and directed the review of Russian investments and the Vermont Pension Investment Committee is working with investment managers as these holdings are liquidated; and
WHEREAS, Vermont shall take additional actions described in this Executive Order to, among other things, cease the State sale of Russian spirits, cease the State purchase of Russian products, rescind the dormant relationship of the State with a Russian Republic and ask the Legislature to take swift action to appropriate $1.00 per Vermonter to assist with humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Philip B. Scott, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor of Vermont by the Constitution of the State of Vermont hereby order as follows:
1. I hereby direct the Commissioner of the Department of Liquor and Lottery (DLL) to: a. Conduct the due diligence necessary to identify Russian-sourced products (produced or manufactured in Russia as opposed to being Russian themed but produced elsewhere) currently stocked at 802Spirits stores in the State or available by special order (identified as Russian Standard, Green Mark, Hammer & Sickle and Beluga).b. Immediately cease the sale of Russian-sourced products and products produced by Russian entities (institutions or companies that are headquartered in Russia or have their principal place of business in Russia) from the stock in Vermont802 stores.c. Immediately cease the purchase of any Russian-sourced products and products produced by Russian entities.d. Immediately cease delivery of Russian-sourced products and products produced by Russian entities from the DLL warehouse to Vermont802 stores.2. I hereby direct the Secretary of the Agency of Administration and the Commissioner of the Department of Buildings and General Services (BGS) to review all contracts for the purchase of goods and immediately cease purchases and terminate contracts for the purchase of Russian-sourced goods and goods produced by Russian entities.3. I further direct the Secretaries and Commissioners of the Executive Branch to review all contracts for the purchase of goods and immediately cease purchases and terminate contracts for the purchase of Russian-sourced goods and goods produced by Russian entities.4. I ask the Vermont House of Representatives to immediately, upon its convening on March 8, 2022, return H. 679, an act relating to fiscal year 2022 budget adjustments, to the Committee of Conference, for appropriation of (a) $1.00 per Vermonter, or $643,077, and (b) all funds collected by the Department of Liquor and Lottery through sales of Russian-sourced vodka from February 24, 2022 through February 28, 2022, for distribution as agreed by the Emergency Board for humanitarian efforts needed to support the people of Ukraine.5. I hereby rescind Executive Order 100-91 (codified as Executive Order 09-01), issued by Governor Madeline Kunin on January 7, 1991, which authorizes a sister-state relationship with the Republic of Karelia in Russia (formerly the Karelian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics). And I hereby withdraw Vermont from the Joint Statement of Intentions executed by Governor Kunin and Kuzma F. Filatov, then Chief of Staff to the Kremlin. This agreement was reached at a time of mutual belief in constructive dialogue and openness following the 1985 summit meeting of President Ronald Reagan and General Secretary Mikael S. Gorbachev but has been dormant for many years. Russian government actions in Ukraine make clear its interest in peace and mutual understanding no longer exists.
Vermont looks forward to a time when true people-to-people cooperation can be restored. Until then the State of Vermont shall not engage in any efforts which confer legitimacy upon Russia's current foreign policy or on a government not freely and democratically elected by the people of Karelia.
6. I further ask the Legislature to rescind J.R.H. 129 adopted by the Legislature in 1990 (R -157. Joint Resolution Relating to Strengthening Ties with the Peoples of Karelia Within the Soviet Union).7. And I call on any Vermont municipality that has entered into a sister-city/town agreement with a Russian municipality to suspend or terminate such arrangements, until such time as the Russian municipality opposes current Russian policy toward Ukraine and has a government freely and democratically elected by the people of the municipality.This Executive Order shall take effect upon signing.
Dated March 3, 2022.