Russia has slammed retaliatory personal sanctions against 28 Canadians supporting Ukraine, following what it dubbed “unlawful anti-Russian restrictions” previously imposed by Ottawa.
The Foreign Ministry, in a statement on Monday, said the entry ban affects the individuals whose activities promote “the criminal neo-Nazi ideology currently espoused by the Kiev regime.”
Russia accused them of disregarding historical facts about the events of the Great Patriotic War and entrenching Canada’s alignment with the radical nationalist forces in Ukraine.
Moscow noted that the trend has been further confirmed by Monday’s appointment of former Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Freeland, whom Russia called “the granddaughter of Hitler’s accomplice Mikhailo Khomiak,” was appointed as an adviser to President Vladimir Zelensky on Ukraine’s economic development.
Commenting on the new role, Freeland declared her eagerness to work with Zelensky on an unpaid basis, emphasizing that Ukraine is at the forefront of today’s global fight for democracy.
“In the coming weeks, I will also leave my seat in Parliament,” she wrote in a post on X. “I want to thank my constituents for their years of confidence in me.”
Russia said through Freeland’s engagement, that Ukraine has deferred to Canada and seeks to “whitewash the crimes committed” by its Auxiliary Police units, the Nachtigall Battalion, and other formations.
The statement expressed Moscow’s opposition to “all manifestations of extremism and xenophobia,” vowing to keep taking measures to safeguard state interests and uphold historical truth.
In November 2025, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Anand, imposed additional sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations.
Ottawa said the actions, which target energy revenues and financial enablers, increase the economic costs of Russia’s “unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine.”
The sanctions list 13 individuals and 11 organizations, including those involved in Russia’s drone program and entities that supply the cyber infrastructure used against Ukraine.
Canada also sanctioned 100 vessels from Russia’s shadow fleet, as well as Russian liquefied natural gas entities, accused of providing revenues to fund the “war of aggression.”
Ukraine: Russia sanctions 28 Canadians after Zelensky’s appointment
