DALLAS — Dallas city leaders showed their support for citizens of Ukraine after millions fled their homes due to Russia’s invasion of the second largest country in Europe. On Monday, the Consul General of Ukraine, Vitalli Tarasiuk, visited Dallas City Hall where he met with Mayor Eric Johnson and other leaders to discuss more ways in which the city and businesses across the state can assist Ukrainians during the war.


What You Need To Know

  • The Consul General of Ukraine, Vitalli Tarasiuk, visited Dallas City Hall Monday where he met with Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson to discuss ways in which the city can continue to support Ukraine 

  • Nearly four million people have fled Ukraine since Russia invaded the country

  • Mayor Johnson gave Tarasiuk a copy of the city's resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine 

“This is a humanitarian issue,” said Johnson. “This has ramifications, I think, for freedom and democracy around the world.”

Earlier this month, members of the Dallas City Council unanimously voted to end ties with Russian companies as well as its sister city in Saratov, Russia.

“I thank Mayor Johnson for his leadership, for his moral compass and supporting Ukraine from [the] day one,” Tarasiuk said.

On Feb. 24, Russia President Vladimir Putin authorized “special military operations” in Ukraine. And it was at that point, Russian forces started an onslaught of missile and artillery attacks, striking cities like Kyiv and killing hundreds. As the days pass by, the number of people fleeing the country steadily rises. As of today, the U.N. Refugee Portal estimates that nearly 4 million citizens have left Ukraine since the start of the war.

“We are defending democracy in the whole world and for that, we need the right tools to do that,” Tarasiuk said.

Following President Joe Biden’s return from Europe, he said, “For God’s sake, this man cannot remain in power” in reference to Putin. But, on Monday, he reiterated that he was not implying a regime change in Russia.

“I just was expressing my outrage,” Biden said at the White House. “He shouldn’t remain in power, just like, you know, bad people shouldn’t continue to do bad things. But it doesn’t mean we have a fundamental policy to do anything to take Putin down in any way.”

In an interview with a Houston media outlet earlier this month, Tarasiuk insisted that people across the state stand in solidarity with Ukraine.

“Texans and Texas businesses can do more,” he said. “We would like also, the Texas authorities, to do the same as the New York governor did announcing that it’s no longer okay for the businesses in New York to do business with Russian entities. We want to do the same here in Texas, too. I think it’s time to show Putin that the world is united in supporting Ukraine.”

Tarasiuk has mentioned closing ports to “impose trade embargo with Russia” related to oil and gas.

“All of the trade that is happening with Russia right now is fueling Russia’s war machine with Ukraine,” Tarasiuk said.

During Johnson’s meeting with Tarasiuk, he gave him a copy of the resolution that outlined the city’s severing of ties with Russia. Tarasiuk gifted Johnson a Ukraine flag that will remain in the flag room.  

“We consider ourselves to be part of the world community and what’s happened in Ukraine is something that we absolutely condemn,” Johnson said.

Until the war is over, Tarasiuk hopes businesses everywhere will assist Ukraine during this tough time.

“After Ukraine wins this war, there will be plenty of opportunities of doing business together,” Tarasiuk said.