Changing Russia’s Regime ‘Definitely’ One of Ottawa’s Goals in Supporting Ukraine, Says Joly

Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly rises during question period in Ottawa on Jan. 31, 2023. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

Changing Russia’s current political regime is “definitely” one of Canada’s goals in supporting Ukraine, says Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, who added that a distinction must be made between Russia’s regime and its people in so doing.

Joly made the remarks while speaking to reporters at a press conference in Ottawa on March 10, where she was joined by her Norwegian counterpart Anniken Huitfeldt to speak on matters related to the war in Ukraine.

A reporter asked Joly if the federal government is now advocating for a change of regime in Russia, to which Joly responded in the affirmative.

Joly said Russia needs to be isolated “diplomatically, economically, and politically.”

“That is the regime that I’m referring to, of course,” she said, adding that it is fundamental to differentiate between “the regime and the people of a given country.”

The foreign affairs minister added that a regime change is the end goal of Canada’s sanctions against Russia.

“The goal is definitely to do that—is to weaken Russia’s ability to launch very difficult attacks against Ukraine,” she said. “We want also to make sure that Putin and his enablers are held to account.”

Russia’s ambassador to Canada, Oleg Stepanov, responded to Joly’s comments in a statement, saying Ottawa simply doesn’t want to recognize that Russia’s current policy “is supported by the ultimate majority of the nation.”

Aid to Ukraine

Joly mentioned earlier in the press conference that Ottawa has imposed more than 2,000 sanctions against Russia since it initially invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Canada has also sent over $5 billion worth of aid to Ukraine since the beginning of the war, $32 million of which was given to the country on the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion on Feb. 24 to fund “accountability” efforts, along with humanitarian and military aid.

Canada has also given Ukraine eight Leopard 2 main battle tanks and over 200 armoured vehicles over the past year.

National Defence Minister Anita Anand also announced in January that Canada would be sending Ukraine an American-made surface-to-air missile system worth over $400 million.

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland also recently announced that Canada would be banning the import of Russian steel and aluminum as a new sanction against the regime.

Canada imported $208 million worth of steel products from Russia in 2021 and $79 million worth in 2022, according to the Department of Industry.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.