麻豆影视

Skip to main content

Russia 'taken aback' by firm international support for Ukraine: PM Trudeau

Share

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau thinks Russia鈥檚 Vladimir Putin and his regime have been 鈥渢aken aback鈥 by the international communities鈥 sweeping measures intended to choke off Russia from the world and hasten the end of its war against Ukraine.

鈥淚 think the most important thing, and the thing that has really had an impact that I think we can all conclude surprised Vladimir Putin, was that we are so united, we are so firm,鈥 Trudeau told reporters on his way in to a Liberal caucus meeting on Parliament Hill on Wednesday.

鈥淔or countries like Canada and the U.K. to be forward-leaning on pushing on sanctions, Putin probably expected. For Germany to cancel Nord Stream [a gas pipeline project], to talk about shipping weapons to Ukraine, these are things that I think has definitely taken aback the Russian system because we are so united and standing up not just for Ukraine, but for the principles of democracy that matter so much,鈥 said the prime minister.

On Wednesday, the United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly in favour of demanding Russia immediately stop its attack on Ukraine, a move Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky praised.

鈥淭he world is with us,鈥 he tweeted following the 141-5 vote

In the lead up to, and from the outset of Putin鈥檚 invasion, Canadian officials have been making regular announcements of response efforts, from military and humanitarian aid, to a series of punitive financial measures on key Russian banks and top figures. The federal government has also taken steps to shut down domestic airspace and waterways to Russian-affiliated planes and ships.

These moves have largely been taken in co-ordination with allied countries, as Putin continues to be widely condemned internationally for his unjustified invasion resulting in civilian deaths and destruction in highly populated regions of Ukraine.

Vowing that more sanctions are coming, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland did acknowledge Tuesday the likelihood of 鈥渃ollateral damage鈥 on Canada鈥檚 economy.

Trudeau told reporters Wednesday morning that the sanctions are necessary, and will hurt Russia and other European nations much more. He said that while there may be industries in Canada that are affected as a result, the government will see what it can to do 鈥渃ompensate鈥 them, as the country continues to back these retaliatory efforts.

Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne told reporters that while trade between Canada and Russia is minimal, there may be impacts seen on the price of gasoline, wheat and other food products based on fluctuating world prices. Overall though, Champagne said the impacts will be 鈥渧ery moderate鈥 for Canada.

In calling for more 鈥渁ggressive鈥 sanctions including on Russian oligarchs鈥攁 number of whom have already been targeted鈥 NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said should there be blowback in Canada, the government should ensure any effects on workers or businesses are mitigated.

Speaking about the potential repercussions for Canadian companies, Conservative MP Michael Chong said in his view, seizing wealthy Russians鈥 assets is a 鈥渂alance sheet issue,鈥 rather than one that would impact domestic businesses.

鈥淚 think we have to have a co-ordinated effort across the Western alliance to make it clear to鈥 oligarchs who support President Putin that they no longer can operate with impunity in Western democracies,鈥 Chong said.

Facing continued calls from the opposition parties to see Canada drop visa requirements for Ukrainians wanting to come to Canada, the government says it is continuing to look at options for further immigration and consular supports, with Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Sean Fraser telling reporters on Monday that additional measures were coming soon.

The Conservatives are also calling for Trudeau to expel Russia鈥檚 ambassador to Canada. On Tuesday night the Russian Embassy in Ottawa, which was the site of anti-war protests over the weekend, its actions and denying Russia is targeting civilians, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

With files from 麻豆影视鈥 Sarah Turnbull

IN DEPTH

Opinion

opinion

opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike

When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Why brain aging can vary dramatically between people

Researchers are uncovering deeper insights into how the human brain ages and what factors may be tied to healthier cognitive aging, including exercising, avoiding tobacco, speaking a second language or even playing a musical instrument.

The union representing some 1,200 dockworkers at the Port of Montreal has overwhelmingly rejected a deal with their employers association.

A man who was critically injured in a police-involved shooting in Hamilton late Sunday afternoon has died in hospital, says the province鈥檚 police watchdog.

Local Spotlight

For the second year in a row, the 鈥楪ift-a-Family鈥 campaign is hoping to make the holidays happier for children and families in need throughout Barrie.

Some of the most prolific photographers behind CTV Skywatch Pics of the Day use the medium for fun, therapy, and connection.

A young family from Codroy Valley, N.L., is happy to be on land and resting with their newborn daughter, Miley, after an overwhelming, yet exciting experience at sea.

As Connor Nijsse prepared to remove some old drywall during his garage renovation, he feared the worst.

A group of women in Chester, N.S., has been busy on the weekends making quilts 鈥 not for themselves, but for those in need.

A Vancouver artist whose streetside singing led to a chance encounter with one of the world's biggest musicians is encouraging aspiring performers to try their hand at busking.

Ten-thousand hand-knit poppies were taken from the Sanctuary Arts Centre and displayed on the fence surrounding the Dartmouth Cenotaph on Monday.

A Vancouver man is saying goodbye to his nine-to-five and embarking on a road trip from the Canadian Arctic to Antarctica.

Stay Connected