On Friday, Canada imposed new Russia-related sanctions on 63 entities and 129 individuals, including deputy prime ministers and members of parliament, to mark the first anniversary of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine. The move followed not long after the US announced its own sanctions packaged against Russia.
"I draw your attention that among the sanctioned Russians are world ice hockey legend Vladislav Tretiak - whose authority in the hockey world and in Canada is indisputable – the first woman in space Valentina Tereshkova and the first woman to perform a spacewalk Svetlana Savitskaya," Stepanov said.
"It clearly demonstrates the completely cynical approach of Trudeau and reflects his Russophobic policy," the ambassador added. "Despite hockey diplomacy, despite the feminist agenda and promotion of the image of women who open up new horizons for humanity, the Canadian government puts these stars on its [sanctions] list, which shows that there is apparently nothing sacred any more in our relationship."
Tretiak, Tereshkova and Savitskaya are members of the lower house of the Russian parliament.
In 1989, Tretiak became the first soviet player to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
In 1989, Tretiak became the first soviet player to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
Speaking to the overall sanctions package announced by the Trudeau government, Stepanov emphasized that the restrictions were in effect meaningless.
"Canadian & Western sanctions against Russian citizens, state structures or businesses are meaningless. They’ve never worked against Russia, they can’t influence our sovereign foreign policy or domestic affairs," Stepanov said on Twitter.
Sanctions only harm economies and well-being of those countries, which introduce them, he added.
"In general, this is a sign of the helplessness of the Russophobic camp which hates Russia but knows it’s impossible to defeat Russia. In the absence of other means, it channels such a hatred through empty posturing," Stepanov said.
While Russia regrets this political reaction, its "reciprocal practical response will also follow," he added.
In addition to sanctions by the US and its allies, the European Union issued its 10 sanctions package that included tighter export restrictions regarding dual-use and technology, restrictions against a number of individuals and entities that are "spreading propaganda or delivering drones used by Russia in the war," as well as measures against "Russian disinformation."
The Swedish presidency of the EU Council has said that the European Union "will keep supporting Ukraine, for as long as it takes."