Ukraine government officials barred

[Thanato]

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.

"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," Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander said Tuesday afternoon.

Alexander said 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."

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

Canada's decision comes as Ukraine's prime minister resigned Tuesday and the Ukrainian parliament voted to repeal its contentious anti-protest law.

Alexander was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird who warned Ukraine of further sanctions.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ukraine-government-officials-barred-from-canada-1.2514323