NEW YORK CITY, New York: According to reports in the U.S. and Canada, liquor stores have begun dumping their stocks of Russian vodka, in protest of President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

As reported by the Canadian press, Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy directed the provincial Liquor Control Board to remove Russian vodka and other Russian-manufactured alcoholic products from stores.

“Ontario joins Canada’s allies in condemning the Russian government’s act of aggression against the Ukrainian people, and we strongly support the federal government’s efforts to sanction the Russian government. We will continue to be there for the Ukrainian people during this extremely difficult time,” Bethlenfalvy said.

Products will be removed from nearly 700 stores across the Canadian province.

In response, Steven Del Duca, leader of the Ontario Liberal Party, said, “Ontario and the LCBO cannot say it is truly standing with Ukraine while continuing to be Putin’s customer.”

Stores in other Canadian provinces, including Manitoba, New Brunswick, British Columbia and Newfoundland, were also removing Russian products.

The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation removed Russian products from its shelves and website because of the “terrible events taking place.”

British Columbia Deputy Premier Mike Farnworth said the province was ceasing imports of Russian alcohol.

Similarly in the U.S., the Jacob Liquor Exchange in Wichita, Kansas, will remove its more than 100 bottles of Russian vodka from the shelves.

Jamie Stratton, wine director and partner of the store, told KSNW-TV in Wichita, “I think the whole world knows by now that Russia’s at war with Ukraine for no apparent reason. I guess this is our sanction.”

According to FOX 12 of Portland, Oregon, Bill McCormick, owner of Pine Tavern in Bend, filmed himself pouring out bottles of his Russian vodka.

“Russia is acting as though it is 1939 and going into Europe with a full force that they have in the Ukraine. I am so concerned about it metastasizing into other countries,” he said.

Bob Quay, owner of Bob’s Bar in Grand Rapids, Michigan, told MLive.com he pulled several bottles off his shelf as a “protest against the aggression.”

“I just made the decision on the spot. It is just the little we can do,” he told MLive.com.