Missouri officials seek to punish Russia, support Ukraine through business

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Missouri lawmaker has filed a bill to stop state entities and private businesses from doing business with Russia and Russian interests.

House Majority Leader Dean Plocher, R-St. Louis County, filed the bill in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The bill is backed by Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, who appeared Wednesday at a news conference with Plocher. The bill would suspend the state's business with Russia. The state treasurer has also called a meeting to discuss state investments in Russian interests through the state employee pension program.

Kehoe said resolutions were filed in the Missouri Senate on Wednesday to encourage retailers to substitute American products for Russian products in their stores. Kehoe said Macadoodles in Columbia committed Wednesday to stop selling Russian products.

"No matter how large the transaction, even if it’s a single product on a store shelf, the amplified effect of these decisions send a direct and meaningful message to the Russian government that Missourians support Ukraine," Kehoe said in a news release.

Kehoe said the state has contacted retail associations. Macadoodles took the initiative to remove Russian products itself, he said.

A Ukrainian-American man from Missouri, Igor Shalai, also spoke at the news conference, asking Missourians to help his native country.