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Cleveland City Council passes resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine

The resolution calls for continued strong sanctions against Russia by the U.S. and its partners.

CLEVELAND — Cleveland City Council unanimously passed a resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine 'in the strongest terms' during its Monday night meeting.

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"This Council strongly condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine, denounces Vladimir Putin’s years-long aggression against this sovereign country, supporting Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, and encourages the US and its partners to continue the exceptionally strong sanctions against Russia," the resolution read.

The passed resolution will be sent to President Biden and all members of the U.S. Congress.

"We have been witnessing since February 24 absolute carnage against the Ukrainan people by nothing more than a thug dictator," said Councilman Michael Polensek, one of the sponsors of the resolution. "Killing innocent men, women and children for no reason at all as they totally destroy the second largest city in Ukraine."

The resolution from City Council comes just four days after Russia began its invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24. In the days since, members of the Northeast Ohio community have rallied together in support of Ukraine. The city of Cleveland, Global Cleveland, and Cuyahoga County issued a joint statement condemning Russia and supporting Ukraine.

"As the world watches the invasion and bombing of Ukraine in real-time, the people of Cleveland, the region and the entire nation are rallying around the strong steps the U.S. has taken against Russia," a release from Cleveland's City Council read. "They also are rallying around the work the U.S. has done with the European Union which has strengthened their resolve and their actions against this invasion."

The Biden administration has implemented sanctions against Russia and authorized military aid for Ukraine. The president also wants Congress to provide $6.4 billion to pay for an initial U.S. response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, largely for military and humanitarian assistance in the region.  

"Ukraine’s plight hits close to home," the release reads. "Ohio and the Cleveland region are home to many Ukrainian Americans. An estimated 42,908 Ukrainians call Ohio home, with more than a third of them living in Northeast Ohio, according to the Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey.

"The estimated 4,127 Parma residents of Ukrainian descent account for about 5% of the city’s population. The next largest populations of Ukrainians among Ohio cities are in Cleveland (1,981), Columbus (1,953), North Royalton (1,559), and Strongsville (1,099)."

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