Canada imposed sanctions against 16 Russian companies

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the introduction of new sanctions against Russia due to the "illegal occupation" of the Ukrainian territory and provocations, the BBCreports . Sanctions are extended to 16 Russian companies and banks.

“The Russian illegal invasion of Ukraine and military provocations disturb the world community. The measures that we announce today will increase economic pressure on Russia and its responsibility for the crisis in Ukraine,” Harper said. “We continue to work with our allies to preserve and develop freedom and democracy around the world. We will continue to act if the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine will be subjected threat ".

The sanctions were “Aquatic” (Russian Time LLC), Avia Group LLC (Sheremetyevo), LLC “Avia Group Nord” (Petersburg), ZASEST CJSC, Investkapitalbank Bank, Saobatrans LLC, Northern Sea Road LLC, Stroygazmontazh LLC, Abros LLC, Volga Group LLC, Group Volga LLC (Luxembourg), Stroytransgaz Holding (Nicosia, Cyprus) and its four subsidiaries.

On Friday, US President Barack Obama and Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel at a joint press conference in Washington said that the United States and the European Unionmay impose new sanctions against Russia in connection with the Kremlin policy against Ukraine.

"We will have no other choice, except to move towards the introduction of additional more stringent sanctions" if Russia breaks the presidential elections in Ukraine, appointed on May 25, "Obama noted. Merkel, for her part, announced the readiness of the European Union for the introduction of a third package of sanctions against Moscow. At the same time, she emphasized that such a development of events is "not the option that we strive for."

Both leaders made it clear that the next step would be the introduction of sanctions measures against specific sectors of the Russian economy, as well as the defense industry.

On March 17, Canada banned the entry of seven Russian and three Crimean officials . Their assets in the country were frozen. Among the defendants in the sanctions list were Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin and assistants to President Vladimir Putin, as well as the illegitimate Prime Minister of Crimea Sergey Aksenov and the speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of the region Vladimir Konstantinov.