Canada to punish ‘close associates’ of Russia, Belarus with new sanctions
Global News
Canada will sanction nine Russians and nine Belarusians for 'having facilitated and enabled violations of Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.'
Canada is taking aim at “close associates” of the Russian and Belarusian governments with new sanctions amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The upcoming penalties will be imposed on nine Russians and nine Belarusians for “having facilitated and enabled violations of Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence,” the government said on Monday.
“These individuals are close associates of the Russian and Belarusian regimes,” the government said in a news release.
“Adding to several actions taken by Canada to support Ukraine and its people, these measures demonstrate that Canada will not relent in holding (Russian President) Vladimir Putin and his enablers accountable for their egregious and illegal actions.”
The identities of those sanctioned were not immediately made available.
Since Putin ordered his troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24, Canada and its allies have imposed several crippling sanctions on Russia and its allies to deter it from further escalating the war.
Ottawa’s latest round of sanctions comes as world leaders lash out at Russia amid the discovery of what appear to be civilian bodies in the suburbs of Kyiv, specifically Bucha.
Ukrainian authorities allege Russia committed war crimes during its occupation of the town, which was liberated late last week after Moscow’s forces departed the city.