Minister Joly announces new sanctions related to Russia’s illegal elections in occupied territories of Ukraine

December 12, 2023 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is imposing new sanctions against 30 Russian nationals under the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations.

These sanctions are being imposed on individuals who ran as candidates in the sham Kremlin-organized “elections” held on September 8 to 10, 2023, in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. The individuals put forward their candidacies in the illegal election for various positions in the temporarily occupied parts of Kherson Oblast in southern Ukraine, including for a regional legislative assembly that the Russian occupiers call a “Duma.”

These so-called elections are yet another violation of Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as of the United Nations Charter. By running for these “official” public positions in the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, these individuals aimed to legitimize Russia’s illegal, full-scale invasion of Ukraine by enabling the imposition of Russian law, media, education and currency to “Russify” Ukrainians who remain in the territories under occupation.

Canada will continue to work with its international partners to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable attacks on its sovereignty and to protect its citizens from the oppressive Russian regime.