PARMA, Ohio — On the day Gov. Mike DeWine declared a "Day of Prayer" for Ukraine, he and his wife Fran headed to Parma to attend a Ukrainian church service in the city in an effort to stand in solidarity with Ukraine as Russia's invasion of the country continues.
DeWine and his wife attended St. Andrew Ukrainian Catholic Church to show their support for Ukraine and for Ohio's Ukrainian population.
The service began at 9:30 a.m. You can watch it in the player below:
The governor spoke following the church service, sharing his support for Ukraine and speaking out against Russian president Vladimir Putin.
"What's going on in Ukraine affects all Ohioans, it affects all Americans," DeWine said. "This was an unprovoked brutal attack on democracy. And so we should care very much about what happens there."
DeWine also said he hopes President Joe Biden continues providing as much aid to Ukraine as possible while also taking action against Putin.
"I just urge the president to continue to give as much military assistance as we can can to the people Ukraine," DeWine said. "We must make sure that Putin pays a very heavy price for this. You know, we should not be buying products from Russia. We should continue to tighten all things down against them. This is just absolutely horrible."
You can watch his comments in the player below:
DeWine has been vocal about his stance against Russia, ordering Ohio to cease the purchase and sale of Russian Standard vodka as a form of "sanction" on the country.
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