Gov. Eric Holcomb issued Executive Order 22-08 March 1 in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, condemning the action and mapping out Indiana's response.
"This wholly unwarranted and unjustified invasion of the peaceful nation of Ukraine threatens freedom, democracy, peace, stability, and the rule of law," Holcomb said in the order. "[T]he State of Indiana proudly stands alongside Ukraine and its people as they fight for their country and a prompt end to this horrific war."
Holcomb listed six specific responses he has ordered the Indiana government to take because of the invasion. The Indiana Office of Technology was ordered to "further strengthen and harden [its] critical state infrastructure from possible Russian cyber-attacks." He also encouraged businesses and organizations throughout the state to do so as well.
The Indiana Department of Administration was ordered to review its contracts across the state government to "determine whether, and to what extent, Hoosier tax dollars are being spent on goods and services from Russian-owned or Russian-affiliated companies."
The Commission for Higher Education was ordered to contact Indiana's public colleges for information "about whether, and to what extent, they receive Russian funding for their programs, research, and grants." He also encouraged private colleges to conduct their own internal reviews.
The Indiana Public Retirement System was ordered to "immediately review any and all investments to determine whether, and to what extent, any of them involve the Russian ruble and/or any securities of Russian-owned or Russian-affiliated companies."
He also encouraged all other private entities throughout the state to conduct their own reviews, "especially if they engage in business from time to time with Russia."
He ended the executive order by acknowledging that Indiana would be ready to support any Ukrainian refugees should a federal policy to do so includes any locations within the state.