According to a news release by Global Affairs Canada on June 1, 2023, Canada has issued sanctions against seven individuals and one entity in Moldova.

The sanctions are implemented under the Special Economic Measures (Moldova) Regulations in response to Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine.

Canada has sanctioned Russian collaborators in Moldova for the first time under the new regulations, following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's pledge during Moldovan President Maia Sandu's visit to Canada in May 2023.

According to the news release, the sanctions aim to weaken Russia's ability to continue its invasion of Ukraine through Moldova, counter Russian destabilization efforts in the region, and support the democratically elected Government of Moldova.

The main focus of the sanctions is on various individuals in Moldova, such as oligarchs, business people, parliamentarians, and politicians, who have connections to Russia.

The Shor Party, closely associated with Ilan Shor, is also targeted by the sanctions due to the party's active involvement in destabilizing Moldova's democratically-elected government in favour of Russia.

These new sanctions aim to counter Russia's attempts to leverage its presence in Moldova to involve the country in the war of aggression against Ukraine, as stated in the news release.

By imposing these sanctions, Canada seeks to undermine Russia's efforts to restrict Moldova's national government from exercising full sovereignty over its territory.

This reaffirms Canada's commitment to supporting Ukraine's territorial integrity and its efforts to end the Kremlin's war of choice.

Since 2014, Canada has imposed sanctions on more than 2,500 individuals and entities in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine in response to Russia's illegal occupation of Crimea.

In response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Canada has imposed sanctions on more than 1,900 additional individuals and entities in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus.

The imposed sanctions align with measures taken by allies such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, which have also targeted Moldovan individuals and entities.

According to a recent decision by the Council of the EU, restrictive measures have been imposed on seven individuals in Moldova under two separate sanctions frameworks.

These measures are intended to address the sensitive internal situation in Moldova and counter attempts to destabilize the country, as well as the involvement of Moldovan nationals supporting Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

The sanctioned individuals have their assets frozen, and EU citizens and companies are not allowed to provide them with funds. Furthermore, they are subjected to a travel ban, which prohibits their entry or transit through EU territories.