Texas and Utah governors call for Russian products to be removed from shelves in support of Ukraine

• Texas Gov. Greg Abbott requested restaurants, bars, and retailers pull Russian products in a tweet.
• Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox asked Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to make a similar move.

Governors in Texas and Utah have requested retailers to pull Russian products from their shelves in support of Ukraine.

Houston Chronicle and other outlets first reported the story.

World leaders have been urged to sanction Russia amid its invasion into Ukraine; US President Joe Biden announced sanctions on Friday, and the EU and UK have also made similar moves.

Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox issued an executive order requiring the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control "to remove all Russian-produced and Russian-branded products from its shelves immediately."

Cox said that Russia's "ruthless attack on a sovereign nation is an egregious violation of human rights."

He added: "Utah stands united with the people of Ukraine and unequivocally condemns the continued Russian attack," Cox said.

He also vowed that the state would take whatever measures possible to support the people of Ukraine.

In a similar move, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted on Saturday that he had asked restaurants, bars, and retailers to pull Russian products from their shelves.

"I've asked the members of the Texas Restaurant Association, Texas Package Stores Association & all Texas retailers to voluntarily remove all Russian products from their shelves," Abbott said.

He added: "Texas stands with Ukraine."

Emily Williams Knight, president and CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association, told Insider: We stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, and stand ready to help businesses as they support the economic sanctions by finding alternatives to Russian imports. We join in the global prayers for peace and safety in this troubling time."

She added: "We also want to remind patrons that our enemy is not Russian-Americans or immigrants, or even the people of Russia. We stand united with all who oppose the violence in Ukraine."

The governors' offices, as well as the Texas Package Stores Association, did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment, made outside of normal working hours.

Biden said Thursday he was authorizing "additional strong sanctions," against Russia, and that "this is a dangerous moment for all of Europe" and the world at large.