Canada imposes new sanctions on Russian TV, media and head of Russian Orthodox Church
Global News
Canada has imposed a new round of sanctions on Russia's media machine designed to puncture disinformation campaigns about the war in Ukraine.
Canada has imposed a new round of sanctions on Russia’s media machine designed to puncture disinformation campaigns about the war in Ukraine.
It has also imposed sanctions on Vladimir Mikhailovich Gundyayev, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, who has preached favourably about the conflict, saying it has “metaphysical significance.”
Gundyayev–known as Patriarch Kirill– is a powerful figure in Russia and its diaspora community and is much admired by President Vladimir Putin.
The patriarch has preached that it is “God’s truth” that the people of Ukraine, Belarus and Russia share one heritage and should be united.
Canada has also targeted Russian news agencies, TV stations and journalists. Petr Akopov, who has written approvingly about Putin’s rationale for the invasion of Ukraine, and Tigran Keosayan, a pro-Kremlin television presenter, are among those on the latest list.
In addition Ottawa launched a web page correcting disinformation about the invasion of Ukraine and “countering it with facts.”
Global Affairs Canada said in a statement that the site will be continually updated to “shed light on how the Russian regime is using lies to justify its illegal, unprovoked and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine.”
Its launch came as Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly told a meeting of the G20 that the world would “not accept Russia’s false narrative.”