Melanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is imposing new sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations in response to the Russian regime’s illegal and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine.

These new measures impose restrictions on 14 close associates of the Russian regime, including Russian oligarchs and their family members. This includes President Putin’s two adult daughters, reads an official statement published on the website of the government of Canada.

These actions, according to the press release, demonstrate that Canada will not relent in holding Russian President Vladimir Putin and his associates accountable for their complicity in the Russian regime’s invasion of Ukraine.

"The Moscow Mechanism report delivered by OSCE experts last week confirmed that the Russian forces are committing serious atrocities and human rights violations in Ukraine, including war crimes and likely crimes against humanity. Canada will also continue to implement further measures in response to the atrocities perpetrated by the Russian leadership, including a relentless pursuit of accountability," the statement says.

Canada continues to monitor the situation and coordinate actions with its partners in the international community to respond to the Russian regime’s barbaric acts.

“Canada continues to stand by the brave men and women fighting for their freedom in Ukraine. We will continue to impose severe costs on the Russian regime in coordination with our allies and will relentlessly pursue accountability for their actions. They will answer for their crimes," says Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada.

Since Russia’s illegal occupation and attempted annexation of Crimea in 2014, Canada has imposed sanctions on more than 1,200 individuals and entities. Many of those sanctions have been undertaken in coordination with Canada’s allies and partners. Canada’s latest sanctions will impose asset freezes and prohibitions on listed individuals and entities.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Canada has imposed sanctions on more than 750 individuals and entities from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.

Canada has referred the situation in Ukraine to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in concert with other ICC member states as a result of numerous allegations of serious international crimes committed by Russian forces in Ukraine, including war crimes and crimes against humanity.