The Canadian government will impose additional sanctions against Russia that will affect 58 individuals and entities, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.
“We are introducing severe new sanctions, they affect 58 individuals and legal entities, including representatives of the Russian elites and their families,” Trudeau emphasized in his address (cited by Interfax). According to him, the sanctions will include Wagner PMC and large Russian banks, which he did not specify, as well as members of the Russian Security Council, including Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov and Justice Minister Konstantin Chuichenko.
In addition, Canada will cancel all export permits previously issued to Russian companies. “We stop [выдачу] of all export permits for Russia and cancel those already issued, these sanctions have a wide scope,” Trudeau concluded.
Earlier, Canada imposed sanctions against Russia due to the recognition of the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics (DNR and LNR). “We prohibit Canadians from any financial activity with the so-called DPR and LPR, we impose sanctions against members of the Russian parliament,” the prime minister said. He stressed that the sanctions will remain in effect until “the territorial integrity of the country is restored.”
The European Union also imposed sanctions against Russia because of the military operation in Donbass. They touched upon 351 State Duma deputies, who on February 15 voted in favor of an appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin with a request to recognize the sovereignty of the DNR and LNR. Restrictive measures will also be extended to 27 organizations and high-ranking individuals who, according to the EU, “played a role in undermining or creating a threat to the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.” We are talking about members of the Russian government, banks, businessmen, security officials and “persons responsible for waging a disinformation war against Ukraine.” The sanctions imply the freezing of assets in the EU, a ban on the provision of funds, on entry into the territory of the union and transit through it.
The European Council also imposed a ban on funding for Russia, its government and the Central Bank. They will have limited access to EU capital, financial markets and services. Also, the adopted package of measures includes the restriction of economic relations with the DPR and LPR, in particular imports and exports. Republics cannot provide investments and tourism services.
In addition, the United Kingdom and Switzerland imposed sanctions against Russia. British sanctions imply the freezing of the assets of VTB Bank, as well as a ban on the landing of Aeroflot aircraft in the country. The restrictions also affected a number of individuals. Switzerland, in turn, imposed sanctions on three Russian banks and travel restrictions on 361 members of the lower house of the Russian parliament.
On the morning of February 24, Russia launched a military operation in the Donbass. According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics (DPR and LPR), whose sovereignty Russia recognized on February 21, asked for help from the country. According to the head of state, Russia is not going to occupy Ukraine, but will strive “to demilitarize and denazify” this country.