Canada has imposed sanctions on Alina Kabaeva, believed to be the girlfriend of Russian President Putin.
The former Olympic gymnast is one of 22 close associates of the Russian regime added to the sanctions list for its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
The UK sanctioned Kabaeva earlier this month and her name is also said to have appeared on a draft list of individuals who could be sanctioned by the European Union.
At the time, Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly would not rule out making a similar move, saying Canada wanted to get along with its allies on imposing sanctions on those who have relations with Putin.
CLOCK | Canada announces new round of sanctions against Putin supporters:
Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said this round of sanctions targeted banks, oligarchs and current partners of Putin.
“We need to strangle the Putin regime. That’s been our goal from the beginning and that’s what we’re going to continue to do,” Joly said Tuesday during a debate with reporters.
She said that although Canada and its allies do not simultaneously impose sanctions on the same people and organizations, their approaches are coordinated.
“What we’re doing is that sometimes we’re leading, sometimes we’re working with the Americans, sometimes we’re working with the Europeans,” she said.
“At the end of the day, when all the G7 ministers gather, we know we are working on the same entities and individuals.”
The latest round of sanctions, which includes four financial institutions, went into effect last Friday.
Canada has sanctioned more than 1,500 individuals and entities since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014.
