“Putin was terribly wrong and this move sends a strong message,” Justin Trudeau said.
Ottawa:
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a ban on Russian oil imports on Monday, saying oil revenues have helped prop up President Vladimir Putin and Russian oligarchs and wage war on Ukraine.
He said that, in addition to three previous arms shipments, Ottawa would also supply Ukraine with anti-tank weapons and ammunition.
“Today we are announcing a ban on all crude oil imports from Russia, an industry that has greatly benefited President Putin and his oligarchs,” Trudeau told a news conference.
“And while Canada has imported very few quantities in recent years, this measure sends a strong message,” he added.
Canada, with the world’s fourth largest reserve, is a net exporter of oil, but still imports significant quantities from the United States and Saudi Arabia, among others, and until recently Russia for domestic consumption.
Canadian oil imports from Russia fell from more than 17,000 barrels in 2019 to nearly zero the following year, according to government and industry data.
Trudeau noted that Russian oil sales account for about a third of Moscow’s government revenue.
“Our message is clear,” Trudeau said. “This unnecessary war must end now. The costs will only increase. And those responsible will be held accountable.”
“We have seen in recent days that Putin made a serious miscalculation. He thought it would be easy to conquer Ukraine… He thought the West would react divided and uncertain,” he said. “He was terribly wrong on both counts.”
Defense Minister Anita Anand said 100 shoulder-mounted Carl Gustaf anti-tank weapons and 2,000 missiles would be delivered to Ukraine “as soon as possible in the coming days”.
Putin on Monday set his terms for stopping the invasion of Ukraine, as sanctions continue to descend on Russia and Westerners warned more could be imposed.
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