Canada joins G7 nations in further sanctioning Russia

The G7 Leaders’ Summit kicked off on May 19th in Hiroshima with Canada joining other members to announce new sanctions on Russia, as well as new funding to guard against the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Leaders of G7 countries released a joint statement on May 19, reaffirming their support for Ukraine and announcing further sanctions on Russia, before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joins them in person on May 21.

“We are renewing our commitment to provide the financial, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support Ukraine requires for as long as it takes,” the statement says.

“We are imposing further sanctions and measures to increase the costs to Russia and those who are supporting its war effort.”

In short remarks made to media earlier on May 19, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced what new sanctions Canada would be imposing.

“Today, Canada’s announcing more than 70 new sanctions focused on people who are supporting Russia’s illegal military action and complicit in human rights violations,” he said.

“Canada will continue to be there to support Ukraine and support international rules based order.”

The Prime Minister’s Office said the sanctions are on “17 individuals and 18 entities linked to Russian companies that provide military technology and know-how to Russia’s armed forces, family members of listed persons, and members of the Kremlin elite.”

Sanctions will also be applied on 30 individuals and eight entities “involved in Russia’s ongoing human rights violations, including the transfer and custody of Ukrainian children in Russia.”

In addition to the sanctions, nuclear disarmament was another theme of the summit on May 19, as leaders look to address geopolitical threats from countries such as China, Russia and North Korea.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who represents Hiroshima in parliament, wants nuclear disarmament to be a major focus of discussions, and he formally started the summit at Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park.

Canada announced $15 million to help the international community monitor and respond to North Korean weapon of mass destruction programs.

It also announced an additional $4 million for the International Atomic Energy Agency to help verify and monitor Iran’s nuclear commitments.

Trudeau also met with leaders, sharing their common goals — and differences.