Canada's Airspace Is Closed To Russian Airlines 'Effective Immediately'

On Sunday morning, the federal government announced that "Canada's airspace is closed to Russian aircraft operators," effective immediately.

Transport Minister Omar Alghabra made the announcement on Twitter at 9 a.m. on February 27.

"We will hold Russia accountable for its unprovoked attacks against Ukraine," Alghabra added.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau retweeted the transport minister's tweet.

On February 24, Trudeau publicly condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine, referring to the military action as "an attack on democracy, on international law, on human rights and on freedom."

The Prime Minister also announced a new round of "severe" sanctions that target "58 individuals and entities including members of the Russian elite and their family members," along with Russian banks. He also informed the public that Canada is cancelling all Russian export permits.

Trudeau said these sanctions will have "severe costs on complicit Russian elites" and will "limit President Putin's ability to continue funding this unjustified invasion."

Trudeau shared a similar sentiment in a tweet on February 23, stating, "Canada condemns — in the strongest possible terms — Russia's egregious attack on Ukraine."

"These unprovoked actions are a clear further violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and of Russia's obligations under international law and the Charter of the UN," he continued.

In his following tweet, Trudeau called on Russia to "immediately cease all hostile and provocative actions against Ukraine, and withdraw all military and proxy forces from the country."

This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.