Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the governors of a few U.S. states have ordered government-run liquor outlets to stop selling Russian-made vodka and distilled spirits in solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox became the latest to take action over the weekend, asking the state's Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to remove all Russian-made and branded items from retail shelves.

Cox joined the governors of New Hampshire, Ohio, and Pennsylvania in issuing the executive order, which is mostly a symbolic display of support for embattled Ukraine, which was attacked by Russian military forces last week.

"We shall do our part to push back against the Russian invaders and support our Ukrainian sisters and brothers," Cox added. He also stated that all governmental procurements would be scrutinized for potential Russian ties.

The boycott is unlikely to make a significant difference. 

According to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, which maintains such data, only 1.2% of U.S. vodka imports came from Russia in the first half of 2021.

Russian vodka accounted for only $18.5 million of the $1.4 billion in total vodka imports in the United States in 2021, according to the group's figures, which included $660 million from France.

Many Russian-styled vodkas sold in the U.S., such as Smirnoff and Stolichnaya, are really produced in other nations, including the U.S.

The ownership of the Stolichnaya brand has been disputed between a Russian state-owned corporation and the Stoli Group since the collapse of the Soviet Union, but the vodka sold in the U.S. is made by the latter.

The Stolichnaya brand is produced in Latvia by the Stoli Group, which has stated its support for the Ukrainian people. The initial page of Stoli's website now has a pastel blue and yellow dove bearing an olive branch on a white background.

"Stoli Group stands for peace in Europe and in sympathy with the Ukrainian people," reads a caption beneath the dove.

Roust Group and Roust International, based in Moscow, distribute Russian Standard vodka, the most popular Russian-made vodka sold in the U.S. Green Mark Vodka is another brand name for it. 

Last week, some Canadian governments, including Alberta, Ontario, and British Columbia, ordered provincial liquor outlets to stop selling Russian-made products.

Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas has advised all Texas liquor stores and restaurants to stop distributing Russian-made items on a voluntary basis. He tweeted, "Texas stands with Ukraine."