Ottawa: Reacting strongly to Russian’s claims of declaring victory in sham Ukraine ‘referendums’, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that Canada doesn’t recognize Russia’s illegitimate referendums or illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories.
In a statement after Russia’s claims, Trudeau said that Ukraine’s territory will remain Ukraine’s. “The so-called referendums held by Russia in the illegally occupied regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, in Ukraine, have absolutely no legitimacy. There are numerous reports of voters being intimidated through force, and these referendums are in blatant violation of international law, motivated by Putin’s notion that he can redraw the map as he pleases.”
Reiterating his staunch support to Ukraine, Trudeau said, “Let me be clear: Ukraine’s borders will not change. Ukraine’s territory will remain Ukraine’s. We intend to sanction people and entities who are complicit in this latest attempt at undermining the principles of state sovereignty, and who share responsibility for the ongoing bloodshed across Ukraine.”
He further said that Canada and its international partners will continue to support Ukraine against Putin’s attacks on its territorial integrity and the rules-based international order.
OM Trudeau said that 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.