Canada announces sanctions against Russian collaborators in Moldova
News release
June 1, 2023 - Oslo, Norway - Global Affairs Canada
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is imposing sanctions against seven individuals and one entity in Moldova as part of the Special Economic Measures (Moldova) Regulations. These new measures were created in response to Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a grave breach of international peace and security.
Today’s announcement marks the first time Canada is sanctioning Russian collaborators in Moldova under the new regulations, following a commitment made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during the visit of Moldovan President Maia Sandu to Canada in May 2023. These targeted sanctions will serve to undermine Russia’s ability to continue its unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine through Moldova, counter Russian destabilization efforts in the region and support the democratically elected Government of Moldova.
These sanctions target a number of individuals, including Moldovan oligarchs, business people, parliamentarians and politicians who are connected to Russia. They also target one entity, the Shor Party, a political party closely connected with Ilan Mironovich Shor, who is among the list of individuals being sanctioned today, and which has worked to destabilize Moldova’s democratically-elected government in favour of Russia.
As Russia threatens to leverage its presence on Moldovan territory to draw the country into the war of aggression against Ukraine, these new sanctions will undermine Russia’s efforts to restrain Moldova’s national government from exercising full sovereignty over its territory.
With these new sanctions, Canada reaffirms its commitment to support Ukraine’s efforts to take back their territory and put an end to the Kremlin’s war of choice.
Quotes
“Canada will continue to work with its international partners to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable attacks of their sovereignty and to protect their citizens from the oppressive Russian regime. We will always stand strong with the people of Ukraine and Moldova.’’
- Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Quick facts
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Since Russia’s illegal occupation and attempted annexation of Crimea in 2014, Canada has imposed sanctions on more than 2,500 individuals and entities in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. Many of these sanctions have been undertaken in coordination with Canada’s allies and partners.
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Since January 2022, Canada has committed more than $8 billion to financial, military, humanitarian, development and immigration assistance for Ukraine.
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In response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Canada has imposed sanctions on more than 1,900 additional individuals and entities from and in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.
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These sanctions are in line with those of allies such as the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union, which have recently imposed measures targeting Moldovan individuals and entities.
Associated links
Contacts
Maéva Proteau
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
maeva.proteau@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
media@international.gc.ca
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