The Canadian Government on Saturday, has ordered the seizure of a Russian-registered cargo aircraft currently grounded at Toronto Pearson Airport, under the pursuant to the Special Economic Measures Act over invasion of Ukraine.
According to the statement, the targeted Russian aircraft, an Antonov 124, is believed to be owned by a subsidiary of Volga-Dnepr Airlines LLC and Volga-Dnepr Group, two entities against which Canada recently imposed sanctions due to their complicity in President Putin’s war of choice.
This came in the wake of Russia escalating strikes on Ukrainian civilian targets, and as Ukraine continues to stand strong, the Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau and President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, held a bilateral meeting.
Prime Minister Trudeau who travelled to Ukraine, met the President Zelenskyy to reaffirm two countries’ partnership with a Canada and Ukraine Joint Declaration. While in Ukraine, the Prime Minister also met with the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal.
The seizure of the asset was made possible by the new asset seizure and forfeiture authorities under Canada’s autonomous sanctions regimes put forward in Budget 2022 and is in direct response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine that began on February 24, 2022.
Adding that the seizure of this important asset is the first step of the Government of Canada’s action under asset seizure forfeiture regime and is designed to put additional pressure on Russia to stop its illegal war against Ukraine by straining its economic system and limiting resources that fuel the war.
While this is the first physical asset seized by the Government of Canada under this regime, and second overall seized and restrained under the Special Economic Measures Act. Canadian Government will seize the asset and manage it in accordance with federal legislation.
Should the asset ultimately be forfeited to the Crown, Canada will work with the Government of Ukraine on options to redistribute this asset to compensate victims of human rights abuses, restore international peace and security, or rebuild Ukraine”, the statement said.
The statement stressed that by authorizing the seizure of the Antonov 124, Canada reaffirmed that impunity is not an option for those who have profited from Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine.
Also, some investments were announced on Saturday, which build on Canada’s commitment of over $8 billion in funding towards financial, military, humanitarian, development, and immigration assistance to Ukraine.
In addition, Budget 2023 extends a $2.45 billion loan to the Government of Ukraine for this year, with the aim to support Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction.
Canada is committed to continue working closely with NATO Allies, EU, and G7 partners, as well as broader International community to coordinate its response measures and support for Ukraine, and hold Russia’s Putin and those complicit in his unprovoked, unjustifiable and illegal war, accountable.
Also, Canada has strongly condemned Russia’s brutal invasion bilaterally, as well as at the UN, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), NATO, and other multilateral forums, and will continue to do so.