Additional sanctions on Russia, humanitarian aid to Ukraine
Canada condemns in the strongest possible terms Russia’s egregious attack on Ukraine. These additional unprovoked actions are another clear and further violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence. They are also in violation of Russia’s obligations under international law and the Charter of the United Nations.
Russia’s attack on Ukraine is also an attack on democracy, on international law, on human rights, and on freedom. It threatens peace and order in Europe and around the world. These unwarranted actions will not go unpunished. People around the world, including in the streets of Moscow and St. Petersburg, are standing against his brutal and unnecessary war. They are standing with Ukraine, as are all of us.
Slava Ukraini!
New sanctions on President Putin & associates
Canada has already taken a series of measures in close coordination with our allies and international partners, to respond to Russia’s egregious and illegal invasion of Ukraine. Yesterday, Canada imposed sanctions on 31 individuals who are key members of President Putin’s inner circle, close contacts and family members of some individuals already sanctioned by Canada, and 27 key financial institutions.
Effective immediately, Canada will be imposing another round of sanctions on President Putin and his fellow architects of this barbaric war, his Chief of Staff and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. These men bear the greatest responsibility for the death and destruction occurring in Ukraine. Canada is also imposing additional sanctions on Belarus and its leaders for abetting President Putin’s invasion of a free and sovereign nation.
These sanctions build on sanctions announced earlier this week against Russia in response to President Putin’s recognition of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) and Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR) as independent and sovereign territories. They are being taken in coordination with the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the European Union.
For more information, please see the press release.
Additionally, on Wednesday, the Prime Minister issued a statement to condemn Russia’s attack on Ukraine. For more information, please see the statement. As well, on Tuesday, the Prime Minister announced sanctions against Russia and additional military contributions to support NATO through Operation REASSURANCE. For more information, please see the press release.
Canada matching donations to the Red Cross
Canada will also be providing additional humanitarian aid to Ukraine by matching every donation made by individual Canadians to the Canadian Red Cross between February 24, 2022, and March 18, 2022, up to a maximum of $10 million. Canadians who want to donate to the matching fund for the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal can do so online or by calling 1-800-418-1111.
The generosity of Canadians when a crisis strikes is always remarkable, and their efforts in times of need make a difference. This matching funding reinforces Canada’s steadfast commitment to Ukraine. This funding is in addition to the $50 million in funding for development and humanitarian aid that Canada has recently announced and the $620 million in sovereign loans that Canada has recently offered Ukraine.
Discussions ongoing re: revoking Russia’s membership in SWIFT
Canada supports the initiative underway to remove Russia from the SWIFT payment system, a critical part of the global financial system.
We have made it clear that all options are on the table when it comes to imposing steep costs on Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked invasion. And that includes taking steps to exclude Russia from making financial transactions. Excluding Russian banks from SWIFT would make it even more difficult for President Putin to finance his brutalities.
