The Office of the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced yesterday, Thursday, that his country will begin imposing sanctions on individuals and entities in Moldova under the Russian sanctions law, regarding alleged human rights violations.

According to a statement issued by the Office of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Canada also announced its intention to set a new set of sanctions regulations under the Special Economic Measures Act, related to Russia.

These new regulations are expected to allow Canada to impose sanctions on related individuals and entities in Moldova who commit systematic human rights violations, as described.

Trudeau met with Moldovan President Maia Sandu in Ottawa yesterday, Thursday, and during the meeting, Trudeau reiterated Canada's support for Moldova’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as institutional reform efforts in the country and the anti-corruption agenda.

Trudeau expressed his support for Moldova’s accession to the European Union, announcing a new initiative to help enhance the capabilities of the Moldovan police to provide security, including sending Canadian judges to Moldova to exchange practices to strengthen institutional capacity and enhance judicial accountability and integrity.

The Office of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued an official statement in this regard which stated:

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met today (yesterday, Thursday) with Her Excellency Maia Sandu, President of the Republic of Moldova.

The two leaders discussed the global impact and responses to President Putin’s brutal and unjustified invasion of Ukraine, as well as security in Eastern Europe.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reiterated Canada’s support for Moldova’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russian aggression and destabilizing activities — including misinformation, hybrid tactics, interference, and support for the separatist Transnistria region.

The Prime Minister praised Moldova for opening its doors and providing shelter, safety, and other humanitarian aid to more than 800,000 Ukrainians who fled the devastation caused by President Putin’s full-scale invasion.

Prime Minister Trudeau also emphasized Canada’s support to Moldova by announcing a new initiative that will help increase the capacity of the national police in Moldova to provide security, especially in areas with large numbers of refugees and migrants.

The statement also clarified that through the Peace and Stability Operations Program (PSOPs), Canada supports a new $2 million project over 18 months in Moldova with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The project will help provide training, equipment, and technical assistance to the national police in Moldova and will be critical to their efforts to address security issues in communities with increased mobility.

The Prime Minister announced that through a technical assistance partnership and in cooperation with the Office of the Canadian Federal Judicial Affairs Commissioner, Canada will send Canadian judges to Moldova to exchange best practices that enhance institutional capacity and strengthen judicial accountability and integrity.

Canada also announced its intention to set a new set of sanctions regulations under the Special Economic Measures Act concerning Russia’s invasion and illegal and brutal occupation of Ukraine.

These new regulations will allow Canada to impose sanctions on individuals and entities related in Moldova who commit systematic human rights violations, threaten international peace and security, or who have engaged in significant corruption.

The Prime Minister renewed Canada’s support for local institutional reform efforts in Moldova and the anti-corruption agenda, as well as his support for Moldova’s path towards integration with the European Union.

It is worth noting that the European Union had announced last March that it is considering imposing sanctions against those responsible for the recent civil unrest witnessed in Moldova.