WHEREAS, Ukraine is a sovereign, democratic, and peace-loving nation; the United States and Ukraine have been partners since Ukraine declared its independence from the Soviet Union more than 30 years ago; and

WHEREAS, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s attack violates the foundational principles of the rule of law, which is essential for democratic countries to thrive; and

WHEREAS, On February 24, 2022, Russia, in an unprovoked attack, invaded its neighbor, Ukraine, and threatened the democratically elected government; and

WHEREAS, President Joseph Biden declared in a statement and press briefing that Russian President Vladimir Putin, “has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering”; “Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring, and the United States and its allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way”; and

WHEREAS, The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has indicated in a statement on its website on “Relations with Ukraine” that, “NATO has reinforced its support for capability development and capacity-building in Ukraine”; the NATO “Allies condemn and will not recognize Russia’s illegal and illegitimate annexation of Crimea, and its destabilizing and aggressive activities in eastern Ukraine and the Black Sea region”; “NATO has increased its presence in the Black Sea and stepped up maritime cooperation with Ukraine and Georgia”; and

WHEREAS, The NATO alliance also condemns Russia’s decision to extend recognition to the separatist regions of eastern Ukraine; and

WHEREAS, The United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has prohibited any United States person from conducting any transaction involving the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, the National Wealth Fund of the Russian Federation, or the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation; and

WHEREAS, The United Nations Human Rights Council reports that Russia’s invasion has damaged and destroyed schools, hospitals, radio stations, and homes, killing and injuring civilians, including children; and

WHEREAS, According to a press statement issued by United States Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, on February 27, 2022, the “United States is one of the largest humanitarian donors to Ukraine, and our humanitarian assistance now amounts to nearly $405 million to vulnerable communities”; “[t]his additional assistance will enable international humanitarian organizations to further support the people of Ukraine, working closely with the Government of Ukraine and European allies and partners at the forefront of any response”; “[t]his includes the provision of food, safe drinking water, shelter, emergency health care, winterization, and protection”; “[o]ur funding will also help humanitarian organizations maintain contact between family members who have been separated due to the conflict, hopefully leading to reunification in some cases”; and

WHEREAS, Thousands of individual Russians have protested against this war by signing an online petition, protesting in the streets, and speaking out in defiance of their government; and

WHEREAS, Over 112,000 Ukrainians and Californians of Ukrainian descent call California home; and

WHEREAS, Californians share with our partners and allies unity of purpose, resolve, and determination to hold Russia to account for its aggression, particularly those responsible for this war of choice; now, therefore, be it