Russia will respond to Canada’s sanctions in connection with the recognition of the Lugansk and Donetsk People’s Republics. The corresponding statement on Wednesday, February 23, was published by the Russian Embassy in Ottawa on Twitter.
“Unilateral sanctions against the Russian Federation imposed by the government of Canada are illegal. Following the principle of reciprocity, Russia will respond to this unfriendly gesture,” the embassy said in a statement.
It is also noted that the sanctions “will not affect the situation” on the ground, “and Russia’s recognition of the independence of the DPR and LPR” cannot be reversed.
Earlier Wednesday, Russian Ambassador to Ottawa Oleg Stepanov also said that Canada’s package of economic sanctions against Russia would not go unnoticed and would receive a decent response in accordance with the principle of reciprocity. He added that the Canadian sanctions were predictable in the extent to which they were presented, as they basically follow the US sanctions line.
On February 22, Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly of Canada called Russia’s recognition of the independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics (DPR and LPR) a violation of the Minsk agreements, the UN Charter and a threat to the security of the region. In this regard, Ottawa is going to impose sanctions against the Russian Federation.
On February 22, the head of the US White House, Joe Biden, also announced the introduction of the first tranche of sanctions against Russia. Washington may tighten sanctions depending on Moscow’s actions against Kiev. He also announced the use of restrictions on Russia’s sovereign debt. According to the American leader, the new restrictive measures will come into force on Wednesday, February 23.
Also on February 23, he officially adopted sanctions against the Russian Federation and the European Union.
Such a reaction from the West was caused by the signing by Russian President Vladimir Putin of decrees recognizing the independence of the LPR and DPR and treaties of friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance. On February 22, the Russian leader signed federal laws on the ratification of friendship and cooperation treaties with the DPR and LPR.
The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, called the new Western sanctions against Russia illegitimate. The diplomat noted that Moscow has long understood that restrictions are the only tool of the West against the Russian Federation in order to restrain its development.
In recent days, the situation on the line of resistance in the Donbass has escalated significantly. The DPR and LPR reported heavy shelling by Ukrainian security forces, including with heavy weapons. A general mobilization and evacuation of the civilian population in the Russian Federation has been announced. More than 40 regions of the Russian Federation expressed their readiness to receive residents of the DPR and the DPR.
Since 2014, the Ukrainian authorities have been carrying out a military operation against the inhabitants of Donbass, who refused to recognize the results of the coup d’état and the new government in Ukraine. At the same time, Kiev blames Moscow for the current situation. Russia has repeatedly stated that it is not a party to the conflict.
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