Canada imposes new sanctions as Russia bans Justin Trudeau

The Canadian government has moved to impose more measures against Russia amid the Kremlin’s attack on Ukraine.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced new sanctions against 15 additional Russian officials in response to the invasion, which is now into its third week.

The announcement came just moments before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy virtually addressed Canadian parliament Tuesday.

“Freedom, human rights, justice, truth, international order — these are the values you’re risking your life for as you fight for Ukraine and Ukrainians. Beyond that, you’re inspiring democracies and democratic leaders around the world to be more courageous, more united, and to fight harder for what we believe in. You remind us that friends are always stronger together. With allies and partners, we’re imposing crippling sanctions to make sure Putin and his enablers in Russia and Belarus are held accountable,” Trudeau said.

“Today, in line with our European Union partners, I can announce that we have imposed severe sanctions on 15 new Russian officials, including government and military elites who are complicit in this illegal war,” the prime minister added.

The Russian attacks in Ukraine have intensified in recent days with more than two million people fleeing the country so far and airstrikes hitting the capital of Kyiv.

Canadian officials banned from Russia

Shortly after Zelenskyy’s address and in response to the slew of sanctions, it was confirmed Trudeau, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly, and Defence Minister Anita Anand were placed on a list of Canadians banned from Russia.

The Russian “black list” announced Tuesday includes 313 names. Most are MPs and Cabinet Ministers but there are also some prominent Ukrainian-Canadians on the list.

The Chief of Defence Staff @CDS_Canada_CEMD Wayne Eyre also on this list.
The Russian "black list" announced today includes 313 names. Most are MPs and Cabinet Ministers, but there are also some prominent Ukrainian Canadians on the list #cdnpoli

— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) March 15, 2022

U.S. President Joe Biden and a number of other American officials have also been added to the list, according to Reuters.

Trudeau previously announced, while visiting Europe last week, that Canada will send another $50 million of specialized equipment to help Ukraine.

Canada has also committed $145 million in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine in 2022 and created new immigration measures to help people fleeing the war.

“In Canada, we like to root for the underdog. We believe that when a cause is just and right, it will always prevail, no matter the size of the opponent. This doesn’t mean it will be easy. Ukrainians are already paying incalculable human costs. This illegal and unnecessary war is a grave mistake. Putin must stop it now,” Trudeau said Tuesday ahead of Zelenskyy’s address.

-With files from Michael Ranger and The Canadian Press