PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Pennsylvania’s two large employee pension funds are dumping their Russian assets, and the state treasurer is divesting nearly $3 million in Russian holdings.
But Gov. Tom Wolf said he wants the state to do more in helping Ukraine, including welcoming refugees and putting more money into supporting them.
Victor Kolesnyk woke up in Ukraine ten days ago to the sound of Russian airstrikes. He fled across the border to Poland with thousands of his countrymen.
"All those people trying to escape this terrible invasion and all this fear in their eyes, you cannot just say it in words," said Kolesnyk.
He is in Pennsylvania now, where he is building a plant for his business Orange Pavers.
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Wolf called that business a symbol of the relationship between the state and Ukraine.
"The people of Pennsylvania have personal, cultural and business ties to the people in Ukraine, ties that further deepen our grief and our outrage at the tragedy they are suffering," said Wolf.
Pennsylvania has the second largest Ukranian-American population of any state, at 122,000.
"The Ukranian people need our help and they need it now," said Wolf.
Related podcast: How Ukrainians and Russians in Philadelphia are in unison against the Vladimir Putin-led invasion of Ukraine.
"It’s incumbent on all of us to step up and provide the support they need."
Wolf said he is pleased at the measures already taken. Both the state and public school employee pension funds are divesting Russian assets. Other public pension funds, including those from Philadelphia, Chester, and Montgomery counties, are following suit.
Wolf said he would like to add Russia to the list of countries, along with Iran and Sudan, that the state cannot do business with.
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"I would sign clean registration to require divestment of all public funds from Russian assets, such as the concept recently announced by House [Majority] Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre, Mifflin counties)," Wolf said.
Currently, the state does nearly $2 billion in trade with Russia.
Wolf says supporting Ukraine has united Democrats and Republicans. He hopes to add $2 million to the refugee resettlement fund to welcome and support those fleeing Russian forces.
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