DALLAS — The City of Dallas passed a resolution Wednesday condemning Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine and suspending any of the city's diplomatic ties with Russia, including the relationship it's cultivated with its Russian sister city Saratov.
The move was initially teased in a memo sent by Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson to Dallas City Council on March 3, announcing plans to vote this week on a resolution to condemn Russia's invasion.
"I believe it is important for the Dallas City Council to send a clear message that we stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine," Johnson said in that memo.
On Wednesday, Johnson doubled down on that stance while specifically mentioning the Ukrainian immigrants who calls Dallas home.
"This community... they are Dallasites," Johnsons said while stumping for the resolution, which passed in a unanimous vote. "They deserve to hear us a City Council to say loudly and clearly that we stand with them -- not just behind them but with them -- and that we are going to do our part, however large or small that may be."
Part of the resolution includes the city suspending its "official relationship" with the Russian city of Saratov, which is around 520 miles southeast of Moscow in the southwestern region of the country.
According to the City of Dallas, Saratov is one of 12 international cities that are known as "Sister & Friendship" cities. Dallas' Office of Economic Development describes this program as a partnership "to build global cooperation at the municipal level" through culture and economy.
Saratov has been a sister city to Dallas since 2004, and the cities' 18-year relationship is alluded to in the resolution.
Reads the resolution, in part: "The City of Dallas recognizes the long-time cultural, educational, and medical ties with the people of Saratov and supports any efforts by the people Dallas and Saratov to work toward peace and understanding during this challenging time."
The resolution, which goes into effect immediately, also notes that the city of Dallas will "not authorize any city contracts with any entities with significant ties to the Russian regime under Vladimir Putin."
Read the resolution in full below:
"When we say Dallas is an international city, that's more than some sort of marketing campaign," Johnsons said before council on Wednesday. "It's got to be a real thing. If we're going to be a part of a global community, we have to stand up at times like this and make our intentions and our feelings known."
Other elected Texas officials are also looking for ways to condemn the invasion of Ukraine by targeting ties with Russia within the state. Last week, Gov. Greg Abbott asked the Texas Restaurant Association, Texas Package Stores Association and all Texas retailers to voluntarily remove Russian products from shelves.
"Texas stands with Ukraine," Abbott said in a tweet.
Last week, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar also asked his staff to review state contracts and payments made through the Texas Treasury for ties to Russian-owned businesses. He said investments made with Russia would be looked into, as well.
"We will be acting as swiftly as possible to divest any holdings with ties to the Russian state or Russian nationals," Hegar said in a statement.