OTTAWA — Canada has called on Ukraine’s new government to “root out corruption” and ensure a place for citizens of all backgrounds and ethnicities, including millions of Ukrainians who are of Russian descent.
The federal government will also impose travel bans on select Ukrainian and Russian officials as the standoff between Russia and the West over the southern Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea enters its second week.
Following a meeting with Ukrainian-Canadians in Montreal Friday, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird reiterated Canada’s support for Ukraine’s new government, which was established after an uprising ousted the country’s pro-Russian president last month. He said Canada is looking at ways to provide financial and technical assistance to help Ukraine’s economy, and to modernize its government institutions.
But the minister said the new Ukrainian government “must continue to heed the calls of its people, who have spoken out courageously for the values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.”
“To succeed, Ukraine’s leaders must focus on governance,” Baird added. “They must take steps to root out corruption. And they must strive for unity and inclusiveness in their policies.”
The last comment was a clear reference to Ukraine’s ethnic Russian minority, primarily located in the east and south of the country. It strongly supported the previous government’s move toward closer ties with Russia. Many have since said they feel threatened by the new government, and would support any Russian military deployment aimed at protecting them.
Baird’s comments came as the government announced a travel ban on “a number of individuals responsible for threatening the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.” The government is following the U.S. in not publicly identifying those affected, or saying how many people are on the list, but the ban will include both Ukrainian and Russian officials.
It is expected that Canada will ban the same individuals as the U.S., which the New York Times said would include “political figures, policy advisers, security officials and military officers who played a direct role in the Crimean crisis.”
The Washington Post said Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to be sanctioned.
Other actions taken by Canada against Russia include:
Canadian CF-18 fighter jets and Russian Su-27 warplanes practice dealing with a hijacked airplane during Exercise Vigilant Eagle 13 on Aug. 28, 2013. (DND Photo: Cpl Vicky Lefrancois)
Suspension of Military Co-operation
Nine Russian soldiers have been expelled from Canada, where they were involved in various training exercises. They are the latest casualties in the federal government’s decision to suspend military-to-military ties between the two countries.
Canada has also followed the U.S. in withdrawing from a joint military exercise called Vigilant Eagle that saw Canadian CF-18 Hornets flying alongside Russian fighter jets as they practised dealing with a hijacked airliner last year.
Canadian Trade Minister Ed Fast shakes hands with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich following high-level economic talks in Russia last June. (DFATD Photo)
Economic Talks Put on Hold
The government has suspended high-level economic talks with Russia. That includes cancelling two meetings this week, one on the sidelines of a major mining conference in Toronto and the other in Ottawa.
Canadian and Russian officials have held regular discussions since 1993, with ministers from the two countries meeting to sign agreements on everything from agricultural trade, energy and mining to space exploration.
Deposed Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych speaks at his press-conference in southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, on February 28, 2014. (ANDREY KRONBERG/AFP/Getty Images)
Asset Freeze
The government has frozen all assets held in Canada by ousted Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych, and 17 close relatives and former members of his government.
The move comes after an international appeal by Ukraine’s prosecutor-general, who feared Yanukovych and those close to him would try to escape with billions in Ukrainian government funds.
- Prime Minister Stephen Harper (third from left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (fourth from right) walk with other G8 leaders and European Union representatives during last year’s G8 summit in Northern Ireland. (White House Photo)
G8 Threat
Canada has followed the U.S., Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Japan in withdrawing from all planning meetings related to Russia’s hosting of this year’s G8 summit in Sochi. Prime Minister Stephen Harper also warned Russia earlier this week that it could lose its place in the exclusive economic club if it doesn’t reverse course on Ukraine.
Russian Ambassador to Canada Georgiy Mamedov with former Canadian prime minister Jean Chretien. (Russian Embassy Photo)
Ambassadorial Summons
Canadian Ambassador to Moscow John Kur has been summoned back to Ottawa for consultations this week, a symbolic move aimed at signalling the government’s displeasure with Russia’s action in Ukraine. Russian Ambassador to Canada Georgiy Mamedov was also called into the Foreign Affairs department for a dressing down last Saturday.
Monitoring Mission
Canada has contributed two military personnel to an international monitoring mission in Ukraine. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe mission is on the ground, but there have been reports it has been barred from entering Crimea.
lberthiaume@ottawacitizen.com
Twitter:/leeberthiaume
