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Virginia's Governor calls for 'decisive action' against Russian attack, including end to Norfolk sister city relationship

Norfolk Mayor Kenneth Alexander agreed, and requested that the Norfolk Sister City Association immediately end its relationship with Kaliningrad, Russia.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Governor Glenn Youngkin is calling on "decisive action" in support of Ukraine. 

This comes after Russian president Vladmir Putin's ordered attack on Ukraine this week. 

On Saturday, Youngkin said he directed his administration to review Commonwealth contracts and "determine what, if any, Virginia tax dollars are spent on goods and services from primarily Russian companies."

RELATED: Russian forces probe Kyiv's defenses, residents sheltering underground until dawn

He's also calling on Virginia mayors to end sister-city partnerships with Russian cities. 

That would include the City of Norfolk, which has held a sister city relationship with Kaliningrad, Russia, since 1992. 

RELATED: White House to impose new sanctions targeting Putin himself

"The invasion of Ukraine by Soviet dictator Vladimir Putin cannot stand," Youngkin tweeted Saturday. "And the people of the Commonwealth are ready to rally in opposition to this senseless attack on a sovereign nation and western ideals." 

In a statement provided after the governor released his request, Norfolk mayor Kenneth Alexander said: “Freedom and self-determination are engrained in Norfolk’s spirit, and we stand in support of a free and independent Ukraine.  I am requesting the Norfolk Sister City Association to immediately end its relationship with Kaliningrad, Russia.”   

He went on to say: “We continue to be inspired by the resilience and courage of the Ukrainian people and their leadership.  Norfolk is proud to join many throughout the world who are rallying behind Ukraine, while calling out Russian President Vladimir Putin for his senseless, inhumane, and tyrannical acts of violent aggression against a sovereign and democratic nation.”

Youngkin also suggested the Virginia Retirement System and university endowments to divest any Russian holdings, immediately. 

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