Close X
Saturday, November 23, 2024
ADVT 
National

More sanctions coming against Russia: Joly

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 21 Mar, 2022 12:37 PM
  • More sanctions coming against Russia: Joly

MONTREAL - Canada will soon impose new sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said Monday.

"There will be more sanctions. We need to make sure we put maximum pressure on Vladimir Putin, his close guard and also the oligarchs, that is our goal," Joly said following a speech to the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations.

With further details on sanctions to come later this week, Joly told reporters Ottawa will do everything in its power to ensure Russia is isolated diplomatically, economically and politically, while providing Ukraine with weapons.

Joly called Russian President Vladimir Putin unpredictable and said his invasion of Ukraine is a threat to world stability.

"We need to make sure Ukrainians win this war. Vladimir Putin cannot prevail," she said. "This is a question that is existential to the West and the world's stability."

She praised the courage of Russians who have dared to demonstrate against the war, and she said she appreciates that the numerous sanctions Canada, the United States and the European Union have imposed are hitting the Russian population hard.

“We know that the Russian people themselves are suffering from these decisions, and I want to thank and support all those dissenting voices within Russia who have taken so much personal risk and shown so much courage in speaking out publicly against the situation in Ukraine," she said.

But she said the sanctions are necessary to pressure the Russian government to end its invasion, which has driven nearly 3.4 million people from Ukraine, according to the United Nations.

In her speech, Joly discussed how the invasion of Ukraine had turned geopolitics on its head, prompting western countries to reassess their military spending.

“I think our Armed Forces need to be better equipped under the circumstances," she said, noting Germany's decision to increase its defence budget to two per cent of its total budget. Several other NATO countries are making similar moves, she added.

Joly did not mention what Canada's plans are, noting those decisions are up to Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland. But there's little doubt, Joly said, that “the world has changed since Feb. 24, the date of the Russian invasion, and we will take note of it."

She also insisted that China play its role on the United Nations Security Council, noting the country has abstained on votes since the beginning of the conflict. Joly told the crowd there are concerns that Russian success in Ukraine could motivate China to take a similar approach in Taiwan.

“China must play a constructive role as a member of the Security Council, must ensure that the conflict does not escalate ... and that is the position that I have asked my diplomats to relay to Chinese diplomats,” she told reporters.

Joly said resources have been added to Canadian embassies in Poland, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia, including extended hours to deal with Ukrainian refugees. Other embassies in Europe, notably in Paris, London and Rome, have been mandated to support those in countries bordering Ukraine.

MORE National ARTICLES

240 COVID19 cases for Thursday

240 COVID19 cases for Thursday
There are 298 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 and 49 are in intensive care. In the past 24 hours, seven new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,960.

240 COVID19 cases for Thursday

B.C. government outlines funds for homelessness

B.C. government outlines funds for homelessness
Several cabinet ministers gathered for a news conference to share details of $633 million first announced in Budget 2022 for supports over three years for people experiencing homelessness.

B.C. government outlines funds for homelessness

Charges approved after women allegedly sexually assaulted during treatments at Burnaby skincare clinic

Charges approved after women allegedly sexually assaulted during treatments at Burnaby skincare clinic
An investigation was launched in 2019 after a victim reported to police that she was sexually assaulted during treatment at a business operating as Fab Skin Care at 5481 Kingsway in Burnaby.    

Charges approved after women allegedly sexually assaulted during treatments at Burnaby skincare clinic

Three People Charged for Keeping an Illegal Gaming House

Three People Charged for Keeping an Illegal Gaming House
Evidence gathered indicated that the Vancouver residence was being rented for the purpose of setting up and operating an alleged illegal gaming establishment.

Three People Charged for Keeping an Illegal Gaming House

Ukrainians can now apply for 3-year stay in Canada

Ukrainians can now apply for 3-year stay in Canada
The federal government has begun accepting applications from Ukrainians and their families fleeing Russian aggression who want to come to Canada while they decide their next steps. The program to allow an unlimited number of Ukrainians to come to Canada was first announced two weeks ago.

Ukrainians can now apply for 3-year stay in Canada

Gov. Gen. Simon requested briefing on Indian Act

Gov. Gen. Simon requested briefing on Indian Act
Canada's first Indigenous Governor General, within months of being appointed to the role, requested government officials outline what departments were doing to allow First Nations to move away from the Indian Act. Mary Simon, an Inuk leader, diplomat and negotiator, was sworn in last July as the country's 30th Governor General.

Gov. Gen. Simon requested briefing on Indian Act