Canada will restrict entry of 鈥渒ey鈥� Ukrainian government officials into the country, Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander announced Tuesday in the wake of a violent crackdown on protesters in that country.
As the Conservative caucus stood behind him, Alexander said that the move is 鈥渆ffective immediately,鈥� but did not specify which Ukrainian officials would be subject to the new measure.
鈥淩ecent actions by members of Ukraine's ruling elite in the face of popular and growing protests have been utterly deplorable, and compel us to take targeted and meaningful action,鈥� Alexander said, adding that the federal government will continue to monitor the situation in Ukraine and consider taking further action if necessary.
鈥淲e believe it will take more than words to establish trust with the people, and Canada will continue to stand with the Ukrainian people, who courageously continue to speak out in support of democracy,鈥� Alexander said.
When asked by reporters what kind of sanctions Canada would consider, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird would only say that 鈥渢his is not the final step for Canada,鈥� and that the federal government is prepared to 鈥渋ncrease action if and when it is required.鈥�
The move comes a day after Parliament held an emergency debate about the growing crisis in Ukraine. During the debate, Parliamentarians condemned the Ukrainian government鈥檚 violent crackdown on protesters and considered targeted sanctions against President Viktor Yanukovych and his inner circle.
On Tuesday, both Alexander and Baird said they 鈥渟trongly condemn鈥� the killing of protesters who have gathered in Kyiv鈥檚 main square since November to protest the government鈥檚 move away from efforts to establish closer economic co-operation with the European Union.
On Tuesday, the Ukrainian government took steps to defuse the crisis. The prime minister resigned, and parliament repealed anti-protest laws that sparked the violent confrontations between protesters and police after several weeks of nearly peaceful demonstrations.
However, opposition parliamentarians want Yanukovych to step down and call an election.
Alexander said that while Canada welcomes the recent developments in Ukraine, 鈥渕ore needs to be done. The Ukrainian government must address the fundamental demands of the people, including accountability and a full embrace of democratic principles.鈥�
Baird said that since the protests started, 鈥淐anada has been engaged at the highest levels,鈥� and he has instructed Canadian diplomats to remain in contact with their American and European diplomats.
As Prime Minister Stephen Harper noted on Monday, Baird said, 鈥渢his backward slide to Soviet-style repression and intimidation is not acceptable. Ukraine has come too far from those days. Canada will not stand idly by as the shadow of old tyranny looms over the innocent people of this great country.鈥�
