Canada asked its citizens to avoid all travel to Russia following the invasion of Ukraine. In addition, the government is also urging resident Canadians to Russia leave the country immediately.

Reported from AFPOn Sunday (6/3), Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs recommended, in updating its travel advice, that its citizens avoid all travel to Russia due to the impact of the armed conflict with Ukraine.

“If you are in Russia, you should leave as long as commercial means are available,” the statement said.

Canadians who still wish to stay in Russia are warned that they may have to stay longer than expected and could be affected by difficulties obtaining essential raw materials and services.

They also run the risk of not being able to use their bank cards and do not expect the Canadian government to help them leave the country. »

“Canada will continue to impose punitive sanctions on Putin and the oligarchs so that they understand their monumental mistake,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said last Friday, announcing a trip to Europe.

Trudeau is due to leave Ottawa this Sunday to travel to London, Riga, Berlin and Warsaw to discuss support for Ukraine.

Previously, the City of Ottawa advised its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Russia.

In a travel advisory, the ministry said sanctions against Moscow and Russia’s response “could have a significant impact on the availability and delivery of essential services. Flight availability has become very limited.”

The ministry also noted that Russia on March 4 passed a law seen as severely restricting freedom of expression.

The law punishes up to 15 years in prison for publications that spread what it calls “false news” about its invasion.

“Foreign journalists and other media professionals in the country are at considerable risk,” the statement said.

Ottawa urges Canadians in Russia not to discuss the invasion, participate in protests, or share or post information related to current events in Russia and Ukraine.

(tdh/frs)