In a retaliatory move, Russia has imposed sanctions on 55 more Canadian military and political officials, barring them from entering the country amid ongoing tension over Moscow’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said on August 31 the step was taken in response to Canada’s latest sanctions imposed on Russian citizens, which the ministry called a “Russophobic course.”
The statement also said three nongovernmental organizations in Canada — Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Macdonald-Laurier Institute, and Ukrainian National Federation of Canada — had been added to the Justice Ministry’s registry of “undesirable organizations.”
Last week, Canada imposed sanctions on 62 more Russian citizens and one defense company over the invasion of Ukraine.
Since Russia launched its full-scale aggression against Ukraine in late February, Canada has closed its airspace to Russian aircraft, barred Russian vessels from using Canadian ports and internal waters, banned the sales of luxury items to Russia, and prohibited Canadian banks from conducting transactions with Russian’s central bank.
There are now 1,500 Russian citizens and companies on Canada’s sanctions list, including President Vladimir Putin, his two adult daughters, Russian athlete Alina Kabayeva, who is believed to be Putin’s current partner, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, central bank Chairwoman Elvira Nabiullina, and many other close associates of the president.
Meanwhile the sanctions list by Russia includes 818 Canadian citizens, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, his wife Sophie Trudeau, Canadian government members, and lawmakers.
