March 1. NC Gov. Roy Cooper has directed state government agencies to review all existing contracts with Russia and terminate those that directly benefit Russian entities.

It’s part of a growing world-wide boycott of Russian-made goods following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine.

“The invasion of Ukraine is an attack on a free people. This order sends a strong message and helps ensure no public dollars or operations from North Carolina will benefit Russia and its unjustified aggression,” Cooper said.

Three Russian alcohol brands – Hammer & Sickle, Beluga, and Russian Standard – are immediately subject to the Executive Order. To read the order, click here.

The Executive Order covers all state government agencies and departments over which the Governor has executive authority, as well as state entities for which the Governor appoints the chief executive or a majority of the board members.

The order includes:

—Alcohol Sales: The North Carolina ABC Commission is directed to review its list of approved products for any produced by Russian Entities and to suspend the approval of such products as quickly as practicable.

—Purchase & Contract: The Department of Administration, Division of Purchase & Contract, is directed to terminate any such contracts with Russian entities as quickly as practicable if they are identified.

A number of states, including Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Hampshire and Utah, have banned Russian liquor, but it’s largely a symbolic gesture due to the small proportion of total sales. According to Forbes, Russian vodka accounted for just $18.5 million—or 1.3%— of all vodka imports to the U.S. in 2021.