Response to sanctions: Russia denies entry to dozens of Canadians

Moscow has given a tit-for-tat response to the Sergei Magnitsky Act adopted in Canada by denying entry to Russia to a number of Canadian public figures, the spokesperson for the Russian foreign ministry Maria Zakharova has announced.

According to her, Russia previously warned Canada that the latter’s actions against Russians will not be left unanswered. “Grounding on the principle of mutuality, we have taken a decision to deny entrance to the Russian Federation to a number of Canadian officials. The list is long, it includes dozens of names. They are anti-Russian Canadians, who were involved in destroying the bilateral relations,” Zakharova said.

Besides, she noted that Russia had to respond to the sanctions, but preferred a constructive interaction on issues important for the people of both countries.

Earlier, Canada adopted the so-called Magnitsky Act. It envisages personal sanctions against officials from Russia, Venezuela, Iran, Myanmar, and Vietnam. They are denied entry to Ukraine, and their assets in the country will be frozen. It is an analog of the Magnitsky Act signed by former president of the USA Barack Obama.