The Canadian government has issued a strong call for Russia to engage in meaningful negotiations aimed at establishing a ceasefire in its ongoing conflict, warning that failure to do so will result in heightened sanctions.
In a statement released Saturday, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly urged Moscow to “come to the table in good faith” and prioritize diplomacy over aggression. The remarks come amid escalating tensions and continued international concern over Russia’s military actions in Eastern Europe.
“Canada stands firmly with our allies in supporting Ukraine and the rules-based international order,” Joly said. “If Russia refuses to de-escalate and continues its campaign of violence, we are prepared to implement additional targeted sanctions in coordination with our partners.”
The announcement follows a week of intense diplomatic efforts by Western nations to pressure the Kremlin into halting hostilities. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau echoed the sentiment during a press briefing, stating that Canada “will not back down in holding aggressors accountable.”
Canada has already imposed several rounds of economic and travel sanctions on Russian officials and entities since the onset of the conflict. The new sanctions, if enacted, would likely expand those measures, targeting sectors such as finance, energy, and defense.
The Russian government has yet to respond to the latest appeal, though previous negotiations have stalled amid mutual accusations of bad faith and violations of international law.
International observers are watching closely to see whether diplomatic momentum can build toward a sustainable ceasefire, or if the situation will spiral into deeper confrontation.
