Trudeau announces sanctions against Russia for pseudo-referendums in Ukraine

The Canadian government intends to impose sanctions on persons and entities involved in holding sham referendums in four regions of Ukraine temporarily occupied by Russia.

According to Ukrinform, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said this in a statement.

"Canada does not and will not ever recognize the results of these sham referendums or Russia's attempted illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories. Canada and its international partners will continue to support Ukraine against Putin's attacks on its territorial integrity and the rules-based international order. In response to this further escalation, we intend to impose new sanctions against persons and entities that are complicit in this latest attempt to undermine the principles of state sovereignty, and that share responsibility for the ongoing senseless bloodshed across Ukraine," he said.

According to Trudeau, Canada remains steadfast in its commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence.

"We will continue to hold Russia accountable for its actions and to support the Ukrainian people and government as they defend their freedoms, their democracy, and their way of life. Ukraine's territory will remain Ukraine's," he said.

On September 20, the leaders of "LPR/DPR" and collaborators in the territories of the Kherson and Zaporizhia regions temporarily occupied by Russia announced sham "referendums on joining Russia" and scheduled them for September 23-27. The leaders of Western countries have already stated that any Russian sham "referendums" in Ukraine will be illegitimate. At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on September 21 that Russia would recognize the results of the pseudo-referendums.