Ukrainian Turmoil Concerns Some North Dakota Businesses

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Turmoil in Ukraine is causing concern for some North Dakota companies that do business in the former Soviet Republic.

Fargo-based Amity Technology has been operating in Ukraine for nearly two decades. CEO Howard Dahl just returned from a trip to the country and says the atmosphere there is somber.

Titan Machinery International Marketing Director Olga Hall says history has shown that instability in Ukraine results in people not buying anything.

The North Dakota Trade Office maintains a full-time Ukrainian trade representative. North Dakota exports to the Ukraine last year totaled $22 million.

Sen. John Hoeven traveled to Ukraine last weekend. He says the U.S. needs to enact "smart" sanctions that deter Russian aggression in Ukraine but don't hurt the economies of the U.S. or its allies.