During his speech at the opening of the Canada in Global Affairs, New Challenges, New Ways international conference at the University of Ottawa minister Dion noted - “The sanctions imposed on Russia in retaliation for its aggression against Ukraine are effective only because they are being imposed by a large number of countries. Canada must continue to require that these collective sanctions be maintained, or even strengthened”.

In addition S.Dion emphasized that “Canada will continue to oppose Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and its aggression in Eastern Ukraine, and we will continue to stand strongly with our NATO allies”.