The top Republicans in the state Senate and Assembly on Thursday urged Gov. Kathy Hochul to send material aid to the people of Ukraine as the Russian invasion has led to a large-scale refugee crisis in Europe.

The lawmakers, Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt and Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, said New York's state agencies should pool any surplus emergency resources while being able to respond to any possible emergencies at home and earmark the aid for the Ukrainian people.

“The nation has seen pictures and videos of the destruction coming out of the Ukraine and we are all heartbroken," the lawmakers wrote in the letter sent to Gov. Kathy Hochul. "As a result of this war, over two million Ukrainians have been forced to leave their country and become involuntary refugees and over one million Ukrainians, who remain in the country, have been displaced from their homes. Unfortunately, this is likely only the beginning of an even larger refugee crisis."

Hochul last month moved to place new limits on the state's business relationship with Russian-backed entities and interests. She signed an executive order meant to bar new state contracts with Russian interests as well as explore ways of ending existing contracts.

At the same time, Comptroller Tom DiNapoli has announced his office is exploring ways of divesting New York's pension fund from Russian businesses and entities. It's estimated about $110 million is tied to Russian assets.

The efforts by New York to limit Russian investment come amid broader international sanctions against the country in response to the invasion.

But the call from Ortt and Barclay represents a different track: aiding the millions of people who have been displaced or injured by the crisis. Ortt had previously supported efforts to aid Afghan refugees after that country's government fell to the Taliban last year.

“As New Yorkers, we must stand up for freedom and stand against tyranny," they wrote in the letter. "Ukraine is a democracy with a population of over 43 million people, and they desperately need humanitarian assistance."