100 vessels that are part of Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ will be added to the sanctions list.
Canada is adding 100 Russian ‘shadow fleet’ vessels to the sanctions list. The move was announced by Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand:
“To further strengthen our efforts to counter Russia’s sanctions evasion, Canada is adding 100 more vessels from Russia’s shadow fleet to its sanctions list.
Russia continues to rely on oil and gas revenues to fund its war against Ukraine by using a network of vessels and supporting entities—mostly oil tankers—known as the shadow fleet to transport sanctioned goods and commodities, including crude oil, to countries around the world.
These sanctions are designed to target Russia’s capacity to finance its war efforts while avoiding unnecessary harm to everyday people.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praises Canada’s move
On Twitter, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy – the Churchill of our time – had high praise for Canada’s tougher sanctions against Russia:
“Canada’s latest package delivers strong new sanctions against Russia’s shadow fleet, including 100 tankers. It reinforces the pressure over Russia’s brutal aggression against Ukraine. This sanctions package also targets Iranian drone manufacturers.
Important and timely steps. Both Russia and the Iranian regime must feel the pressure and must be stopped. Thank you to @MarkJCarney and Canada!”
Canada’s latest package delivers strong new sanctions against Russia’s shadow fleet, including 100 tankers. It reinforces the pressure over Russia’s brutal aggression against Ukraine. This sanctions package also targets Iranian drone manufacturers.
Important and timely steps.…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 26, 2026
Standing for the values that build civilizations
When we think long-term, we can realize how important it is to get things right in the present. If we let dictators like Vladimir Putin get away with brutalizing democracies like Ukraine, we will find ourselves in a world where ruthless dictators can take whatever they want. Such a world would be poorer, more dangerous, and filled with an underlying sense of pervasive fear. But that is not inevitable. We could, by continuing to support Ukraine, by protecting the rule of law, and building enduring institutions, create a future where individual rights, collective security, and prosperity not only survive, but spread.
That’s why things that may seem small in the moment – like a new round of sanctions – are much more than that. They are a statement about our values as Canadians, and a step towards creating the kind of nation and civilization that uplifts the best of humanity.
Spencer Fernando
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