What do Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly, and local MPs have in common?
They're all included in a new stop list compiled by Russian officials.
The Russian government banned them from entering their country in response to Canada's support for Ukraine in the invasion and new sanctions from Washington.
Americans on the "stop list" include U.S. President Joe Biden, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, and former Secretary of State and Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
The Globe and Mail reported the list is largely symbolic since Canada is maintaining official relations.
Windsor-Tecumseh MP Irek Kusmierczyk appears 135th on the list, while Windsor West MP Brian Masse is 178th and Essex MP Chris Lewis is 160th. It includes virtually all Members of Parliament.
Today I learned I am #135 on the list of Canadians banned by the Russian Government from entering Russia.
We will not back down from standing with Ukraine ?? ?? pic.twitter.com/bq5CXbzx03
— Irek Kusmierczyk (@Irek_K) March 15, 2022
Obviously they again prove how incompetent they are as if they had any brains they would know I belong in the top 50. I will be using all my US contacts with Congress and Senate to further sanctions, punish oligarchs and ensure justice for #UkraineUnderAttack #cdnpoli https://t.co/5wJVWZ2YvT
— Brian Masse (@BrianMasseMP) March 15, 2022
Kusmierczyk's father, Richard Kusmierczyk, was recently awarded the Cross of Freedom and Solidarity for efforts to promote democracy in his native Poland in the 1980s. It is one of the Polish government's highest honours.
Canada has levelled sanctions against more than 900 Russian, Belarusian, and Ukrainian officials in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
