Joly asks Canadians in Ukraine to leave

Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly on Tuesday called on Canadians in Ukraine to leave the country now.

In a brief message sent on social networks, Minister Joly adds that the government advises Canadians to avoid all travel to Ukraine.

These warnings from the head of Canadian diplomacy come shortly after the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, recognized the independence of the breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine and paved the way for provide them with military support.

In the West, this announcement from the Kremlin fuels fears that Russia could imminently invade Ukraine.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday that Canada strongly condemns Russia’s recognition of so-called independent states in Ukraine and that Canada will impose economic sanctions accordingly.

However, Canada has not yet specified the nature of the economic sanctions it will impose on Russia.

Ten days ago, Canada decided to temporarily suspend activities at its embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine. The diplomatic staff was transferred to a temporary office in Lviv, a city in the west of the country.

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