Matthews: What role will sanctions by Canada, the United States, and the European Union play in the development of the political crisis in Ukraine?
Executive director, Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies
The sanctions imposed by Western countries will send an important message to Vladimir Putin and his inner circle that “business as usual” will not continue. Russia’s military interference in Ukraine and the subsequent staging of an “independence referendum” that will see Crimea join the Russian Federation is a dangerous precedent that has put all of eastern Europe on edge and fearful of a military conflict. Strong economic sanctions that target individuals will hopefully prevent Moscow from invading other parts of Ukraine.
