Russia permanently banned 56 Canadian citizens from entering the Russian Federation on Saturday. The decision took place in response to the Canadian government’s sanctions against Russian stakeholders.

On March 3, 2024, Canada approved new sanctions against Russia over the death of Alexei Navalny in a penal colony in Siberia on February 16, 2024. The sanctions apply to six Russian officials, including senior executives and high-ranking members of Russia’s prosecutor’s office and judicial and correctional systems. In particular, the sanctions concerned Vadim Kalinin, head of the correctional colony in the settlement of Kharp, where Navalny was held, as well as Igor Rakitin, head of the Russian Federal Penitentiary Service for the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District.

The Russian Foreign Ministry commented on the list of Canadians with banned entry to Russia, stating:

These people, from academic and pro-Banderite organisations, have been actively involved in the campaign to glorify Hitler’s accomplices from the OUN-UPA and the Galicia division, including the disgraceful honouring of Nazi Jaroslav Gunko in the Canadian parliament. This list also includes business people and executives that are complicit in supplying the Armed Forces of Ukraine with arms and who actively participate in the Russophobic campaign fuelled by the authorities

Relations between Russia and Canada, as with many other countries, have been strained in recent years, particularly with the ongoing war in Ukraine and Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. In response to its actions, many countries have subjected Russia to a wide range of sanctions, such as asset freezes, travel bans and restrictions on trade with Russian companies.

The ban on Canadian citizens traveling to Russia is the latest development in this ongoing diplomatic dispute. Earlier this month, the Canadian government also expanded restrictions on imports of diamonds and diamond jewelry from Russia. How all of this will ultimately be resolved in the future remains unclear.