Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly on Monday evening condemned the Russian president’s decision to recognize the pro-Russian areas of eastern Ukraine as independent.
Posted at 6:12 p.m.
“This is a clear violation of the Minsk agreements and the UN Charter, as well as a serious threat to the security and stability of the region,” she said on Twitter.
Canada plans to impose economic sanctions on Russia, adds Mélanie Joly, “separate from those prepared to respond to any new military invasion of Ukraine by Russia. »
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also spoke out on Twitter Monday evening. “This is a flagrant violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty & international law,” he tweeted. Canada supports Ukraine and will impose economic sanctions accordingly. »
During question period in the House on Monday afternoon, Bloc member Christine Normandin urged the Trudeau government to immediately impose sanctions on the Putin regime.
“Moscow has already announced that it recognizes the independence of the Donbass territories, which is the first step towards their annexation […] Will Canada launch a warning shot and immediately take sanctions against Moscow? she inquired.
In the absence of Minister Joly, her parliamentary secretary, Rob Oliphant, responded. He did it by reiterating what the government has been hammering for several days, that is to say that we will not hesitate to punish the Kremlin.
“We are indeed ready to impose severe economic sanctions if Russia invades Ukraine further,” he said. We work closely with our allies, the US, UK and EU [Union européenne]. »
Because sanctions, Mr. Oliphant concluded, are “always more effective” when they are imposed in concert with other countries.