Canada lays new Russia sanctions, says Moscow meddling in Moldova election

The actions come as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attends the G7 Summit in Italy, where Russia's invasion of Ukraine remains a key topic.

Canada on Thursday slapped new sanctions on Russia targeting its military and industrial sectors, and joined allies in accusing Moscow of seeking to influence elections in its neighbour Moldova.

The actions come as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attends the G7 Summit in Italy, where Russia’s invasion of Ukraine remains a key topic, and follow sweeping new sanctions from the U.S. that aim to cripple Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war machine.

The Canadian sanctions specifically target individuals and entities implicated in disinformation and propaganda operations, as well as entities involved in supplying technology to the Russian military and who have helped Russia evade existing sanctions on goods and oil revenue, the government said in a statement.

“Today’s newest sanctions reflect our long-standing efforts to disrupt President Putin’s ability to wage Russia’s illegal war, including by conducting gross disinformation campaigns,” Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said in the statement.

“Our message to President Putin is clear: Withdraw your military and proxy forces from Ukraine.”

The government said the sanctions affect a total of 11 individuals and 16 entities.

The alleged disinformation and propaganda operations involve “using looted Ukrainian communication equipment in the temporarily occupied territories” of Ukraine to spread false information, according to Global Affairs Canada, “as well as other Russian disinformation actors inside and outside of Russia.”

The U.S. Treasury Department on Wednesday announced new sanctions on more than 300 entities and individuals aimed at cutting off Russia’s access to products and services needed to sustain military production for its war in Ukraine, including dozens of Chinese suppliers.