Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement announcing new economic sanctions and travel bans against Ukrainian individuals, as well as economic sanctions against Ukrainian entities and a broad range of entities related to various Russian sectors:

“Earlier this week, we announced our intention to broaden the range of entities sanctioned in response to the Putin regime’s illegal occupation of Ukraine’s Crimean region, and its persistent, provocative military activity targeting parts of eastern Ukraine.

“The measures we are announcing today include sanctions against a broad range of entities from Russia’s arms industry, as well as from its financial and energy sectors. Our unequivocal aim is to further increase economic and political pressure on the Putin regime.

“In addition to instituting prohibitions on dealings with respect to entities related to Russia’s arms industry, these substantively new measures impose restrictions on the issuance of new financing for the designated energy and financial entities.

“Today, we are also imposing sanctions on the armed separatist groups known as ‘The Donetsk People’s Republic’ and ‘The Luhansk People’s Republic.’ These groups, with direct support from Russia, have engaged in egregious acts against the armed forces of Ukraine, international monitors deployed to the area, and the civilian population.

“As we have seen with the downing of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 last week, the Putin regime’s failure to end its support to armed separatist groups constitutes a very real threat to international peace and security.

“Canada remains committed to working with our allies and partners in the international community to preserve and promote a free, democratic and peaceful world. We are ready for further actions if the Putin regime’s military aggression continues.”