Canada imposes sanctions on Russia

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Canada is among numerous nations imposing new sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the sanctions will target 58 people and entities connected to Russia, including members of that country’s elite and their families, the paramilitary organization known as the Wagner Group and major Russian banks.

The measures, announced Thursday after Trudeau attended a virtual G-7 meeting and spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, will also affect members of the Russian Security Council, including key cabinet ministers. Canada is also cancelling existing export permits for Russia and will not issue new ones.

"President Putin has launched a horrific, unprovoked attack on [Ukraine], a sovereign nation, including missile strikes in their capitol, Kiev. He has needlessly put the lives of innocent people at risk, violated Russia’s international treaties, and launched the greatest threat to European stability since World War II," Trudeau said.

Trudeau also says the federal government will be prioritizing immigration applications for Ukrainians who want to come to Canada and is launching a dedicated telephone line for anyone who has any urgent questions about immigrating from Ukraine.