Canada to ban Russian oil imports, send anti-tank weapons and ammunition to Ukraine, says Trudeau

Canada is banning Russian oil imports and will send a third shipment of lethal weapons to Ukraine as its military continues to fight off better-armed Russian forces, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday.

"Yesterday, we announced that we would be sending new shipments of military supplies, including body armour, helmets, gas masks and night vision goggles," Trudeau said. "Today we are announcing that we will be supplying Ukraine with anti-tank weapons systems and upgraded ammunition." 

Trudeau said the Canadian Armed Forces will provided airlift support to transport supplies and aid and to participate in other NATO efforts in support of Ukraine.

Ukraine government officials and members of its parliament have been calling on Canada and its allies to deliver more weapons — including guns and anti-aircraft missiles — to keep Russian forces from gaining control of key cities.

Defence Minister Anita Anand said Canada is sending 100 Carl-Gustaf anti-tank weapons systems and 2,000 rockets — ammunition for the shoulder-mounted weapons — from the Canadian Armed Forces inventory. 

"We are co-ordinating with our NATO allies to ensure the safe passage of this aid and it would be imprudent for me to provide further details at this time for the safety and security of Canadian Armed forces and for the safe passage and the weapons and ammunition themselves," she said.

Trudeau said Canada will also ban Russian oil imports. Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said during question period in the House of Commons earlier Monday that Canada has not received a shipment of Russian crude oil since 2019.

"Today, we are announcing our intention to ban all imports of crude oil from Russia, an industry that has benefited President Putin and his oligarchs greatly," Trudeau said.

"This industry accounts for more than a third of Russia's federal budget revenues, and while Canada has imported very little amounts in recent years, this measure sends a powerful message.

"In addition, it ensures that those who are complicit in President Putin's atrocities cannot escape the consequences of their actions. This is why it was announced that Russia oligarchs will be prevented from using their wealth to buy citizenship abroad and avoid the consequences of sanctions." 

After denouncing Russia at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva earlier Monday, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said she will travel to Warsaw on Tuesday to "make sure ultimately the delivery is well done."

"My role in this is to make sure this aid gets in the arms of Ukrainian soldiers that are fighting for their life and fighting for their motherland," said Joly. "That's exactly why I've been able to get an agreement from Poland to make sure that delivery could be done through their borders."

She praised the European Union Sunday for agreeing to ship arms and other aid to Ukraine's military. Germany also reversed its longtime stand on lethal military aid by announcing weapons shipments to Ukraine.

"So we're seeing a strong movement and I'm glad Canada was part of the first countries to send lethal aid because it's important that people are able to defend their lives, their families, their way of living and their motherland," said Joly.