Commentary

        15 March, 2019. OTTAWA. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) applauds the announcement by Canada's Department of Global Affairs that 114 individuals and 15 entities have been sanctioned in response to Russia's aggressive actions in the Black Sea and the Kerch Strait and Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea.

        Last November three Ukrainian ships were captured by Russian naval forces, 24 Ukrainian sailors were captured and are still in Russian captivity in addition to over 70 other Ukrainian citizens who are currently illegally imprisoned in Russia. We welcome sanctions in response to this premeditated and deliberate act of aggression against Ukraine by Russia,  which  has  been  waging war  on  Ukraine  for over 5 years.

        Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, stated: 

        "Canada and its allies are unwavering in our support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Russia's provocations in the Kerch Strait and its illegal invasion and ongoing occupation of Crimea will not go unchecked. Alongside our international partners, we call on Russia to immediately release the 24 detained Ukrainian servicemen and return the seized vessels. Russia must allow free and unhindered passage through the Kerch Strait and the Sea of Azov. Today's sanctions demonstrate that Canada and the international community are ready to impose costs on Russia when it ignores international law and the rules-based international order."

        "Russia's continuing aggression against Ukraine, and the illegal imprisonment by Russia of Ukrainian political prisoners are an affront to the values of peace, democracy  and human rights that we as Canadians hold dear," stated Alexandra Chyczij, National President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. "We welcome today's announcement, and the leadership that Canada has shown in support of Ukraine. The international  community must continue to unequivocally oppose and condemn Russia's deplorable actions, which threaten not only Ukraine's sovereignty, but the peace and liberty  of  the European continent."

        The last  sanctions by Canada  dealing with Russian's illegal annexation of Crimea were announced in November of 2016.