Ukrainian community calls on Canada to increase sanctions against Russia

"Russia’s continued incarceration of the 24 Ukrainian sailors is a grave violation of international law. Canada and the international community must significantly increase sanctions on the Russian regime to secure the release of the Ukrainian sailors and over 70 Ukrainian political prisoners taken hostage and imprisoned by the Kremlin," President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Alexandra Chyczij said in a statement.

Canada, the United States and the European Union have repeatedly condemned Russia’s illegal detention of the 24 sailors and imprisonment of 70 Ukrainian political prisoners and called for their immediate release. None have taken actions that would increase pressure on Russia to do so. 

Given this, Chyczij on behalf of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress called on the authorities of Ottawa to implement specific sanctions against Russia in response to the November 25 Kerch Strait attack. Actions should include sanctions on Russian state financial institutions and sanctions on Russian shipping including banning Canadian ships from docking in Russian ports in the Sea of Azov and Black Sea and banning Russian ships from Canadian ports.

In addition, Canada should also use the tools available in the Magnitsky Act to impose sanctions on Russian officials responsible for the violations of internationally recognized human rights of Ukrainian citizens; together with NATO allies, to increase military assistance to Ukraine; and in cooperation with the EU, the G7 and other like-minded nations, to strengthen economic sanctions on Russia, including the removal of Russia from the SWIFT international payments system.