Canada imposes sanctions against Ukrainian officials

The Canadian government has announced it is barring senior Ukrainian officials from entering the country, in response to violent clashes between protesters and police in Kyiv, Canadian portal CBC News reported on Tuesday.

"Effective immediately, we will restrict entry to Canada for key Ukrainian government officials that have been responsible for the oppression and silencing of opposition voices," Canadian Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander said after a respective parliamentary debate on Tuesday afternoon.

He said that the government was compelled to take action following "utterly deplorable" and "recent actions by members of Ukraine's ruling elite in the face of popular and growing protests."

"Canada continues to stand with the Ukrainian people as they defiantly and courageously speak out in support of freedom and democracy," Alexander said.

Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird, in turn, warned Ukraine of further sanctions.

"I think this is an important step. We'll obviously continue to follow it and increase action if and when it is required," he told reporters in parliament.

Baird said the Canadian government is monitoring the situation in Ukraine on an hour-by-hour basis.

"This is not a final step for Canada, this is just another process in our engagement and support of freedom and prosperity in Ukraine," he said.

Baird said he had been in touch with Catherine Ashton, the European Union's representative responsible for foreign affairs and security policy, in the hour before Canada's announcement. He said he would also be in touch with U.S. officials.

Earlier on Monday, members of the Canadian parliament condemned the Ukrainian government for its actions following an emergency debate in the House of Commons.