Russian Ambassador to Ottawa Stepanov called Russian-Canadian relations "politically virtual"

“Our relations through the efforts of the government (Justin. -

) Trudeau are becoming purely politically virtual without any practical cushion, because there are no economic contacts, no humanitarian, no cultural, no academic,” RIA Novosti quotes him.

The ambassador noted that bilateral relations are completely "frozen".

According to him, the anti-Russian sanctions imposed by Canada put an end to trade between the two countries, and also stopped ties at the local and federal levels of government.

Stepanov called the situation "sad".

“I don’t know where else it can be worse, where you can go further.

We scooped out this bottom, whether we reached it or not, I don’t know, ”he concluded.

Earlier, the Canadian government announced new sanctions against Russia, which are designed to "put further pressure" on the Russian authorities.

At the end of April, the Russian Foreign Ministry published a list of names of 592 Canadian citizens who were banned from entering Russia on a permanent basis.

Russia also imposed sanctions on Sophie, wife of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.