Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper meets with Vadym Prystaiko, the Ukrainian ambassador to Canada, Monday March 17, 2014 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
March 17, 2014 - 10:09 AM
OTTAWA - Stephen Harper says Canada will announce more sanctions on Russia as a result of Sunday's vote in Crimea to secede from Ukraine.
Harper says the result of the so-called referendum is illegitimate and was conducted under an illegal military occupation by Russia.
He made the announcement prior to a meeting with Vadym Prystaiko, the Ukrainian ambassador to Canada.
Harper is to fly to Kyiv on Friday to show his support for the temporary government in the face of Russian aggression in the strategic Black Sea region.
Earlier today, the Obama administration announced a freeze on the U.S. assets of seven Russian officials, including top advisers to President Vladimir Putin.
European Union foreign ministers also imposed travel bans and froze the assets of 21 officials from Russia and Ukraine.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2014