TORONTO – Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird announced Friday that Canada is expanding economic sanctions to include a further 14 individuals in response to the crisis in Ukraine.
The new additions include Valery Vladimirovich Kaurov, the self-described president of the Republic of Novorossiya, who has called on the Putin regime to deploy troops to Ukraine.
Baird urged Russia to stop the flow of arms and militants into Ukraine, and said Moscow should abandon what he called its inflammatory propaganda campaign against Ukraine.
Russia should also draw down the troops deployed close to Ukraine’s borders, he said.
“Peace will only be achieved if Russia and the gunmen it continues to support start showing good faith in talks with Kyiv,” said Baird.
Canada has already imposed a series of economic sanctions and travel bans against Russian and Ukrainian individuals, expelled a Russian diplomat and earmarked $220 million to help stabilize the Ukrainian economy.
“Our government is steadfast in our support for Ukraine and will not stand idly by while its sovereignty and territorial integrity are threatened,” said Defence Minister Rob Nicholson in a statement.
“Canada will continue to demonstrate the strength of allied solidarity in response to Russian aggression.”
With files from Global News
Comments