NJ Town Suspends Lukoil Amid Russian Invasion Of Ukraine

NEWARK, NJ — A boycott inspired by the Russian invasion of Ukraine has launched in New Jersey’s largest city.

On Wednesday, the Newark City Council unanimously voted to suspend the business licenses of all local Lukoil gas stations and their on-site businesses, an action tied to the ongoing military conflict in Ukraine. Read More: America Rallies In Support Of Ukraine (Photos)

Lukoil North America is a subsidiary of Russia-based PJSC Lukoil Company, with “deep ties” to the Russian Federation and oligarchs aligned with President Vladimir Putin, the council resolution alleges.

The city said there are at least two Lukoil gas stations in Newark, both on McCarter Highway. North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos Jr., who sponsored the measure, said the stations in Newark are franchised, and not owned by Lukoil, NBC New York reported.

Ramos said the city’s law office informed him that the council was within its authority to suspend the licenses, NJ.com reported.

It remains unclear if the council has plans for assisting the franchisee or workers at the affected stations if they have to shut down.

Most of the 230 Lukoil gas stations in the U.S. are owned by individual American franchisees, not the oil giant itself, CNN reported.

Putin has seen global condemnation after launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The military conflict has already cost at least 136 civilian lives, with the true figure feared to be much higher, the United Nations reported Tuesday.

The invasion of Ukraine followed a series of failed diplomatic efforts, NPR reported. It marks the largest military attack of one state against another on the European continent since the Second World War, Fox News stated.

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‘THE FIGHT FOR FREEDOM’

The Newark city council isn’t the only government body in the U.S. that has tried to put pressure on Putin with a local sanction.

Earlier this week, the Oregon Liquor & Cannabis Commission ordered Russian-made alcohol off the state’s shelves. An official said that there are about 5,000 bottles of such alcohol for sale in 281 liquor stores around the state. All must be put aside until further notice. Read More: Russian-Made Alcohol Ordered Off Oregon Shelves

But other entities have taken a different approach, trying to support the refugees as opposed to punishing Putin.

In a show of solidarity with the Ukrainian victims and refugees, Bayonne-based Royal Wine Corp. recently announced it will redirect sales from two of its leading vodka brands – Xdar, which is a Ukrainian vodka, and Lvov, a Polish vodka named after the Ukrainian town of Lviv – to Emergency Ukraine.

The New Jersey company said it will donate 100 percent of the proceeds of the sales between Feb. 24 and March 10, with a minimum donation of $30,000.

Founded in 1848, Royal Wine Corp. has been owned and operated in the United States by the Herzog family, whose winemaking roots go back eight generations to its origin in Czechoslovakia.

“Royal Wine stands with the people of Ukraine and we demonstrate our support for their independence,” CEO Mordy Herzog said. “While we are all praying and hoping for peace to return to the region, we feel compelled to help in a meaningful way. As a flagship Jewish-American business, we are committed to their material and moral sustenance in their fight for freedom.”

• See related article: Fundraiser Launched In NJ Town For Ukraine Refugees

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