OTTAWA - Eric Melillo, Member of Parliament for Kenora, was one of 313 Canadians banned from entering Russia as Canada continues to impose sanctions on Russian officials and entities.
“Russia’s decision to ban me and other Parliamentarians who have stood against the illegal invasion of Ukraine will not deter us from continuing to defend democracy, the rule of law, and the right of the Ukrainian people to live in peace in their sovereign nation,” said Melillo.
“I consider this ban a badge of honour, I take this opportunity to renew my call for harsh action against Russia.”
The announcement on the Russian Foreign Ministry’s website came shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed Canada’s House of Commons, during which he repeated his call for a NATO-led no-fly zone over Ukraine.
Like most of the officials banned from entering Russia, Melillo says that it will have no effect on him or his party’s support for Ukraine.
“There’s definitely no impact for me, it doesn’t drop my travel plans at all, I had no desire to travel to Russia, I do see this as a badge of honour because I’m proud to stand with Ukraine, with the Ukrainian people alongside all parliamentarians,” said Melillo.
“It’s great to see that we’re united there, and these sanctions aren’t going to deter us from continuing to stand up for what’s right.”
The Conservative Party of Canada has supported the government’s response and called for additional action, including expelling the Russian Ambassador from Canada and doing more to secure Ukraine’s airspace, particularly over the humanitarian corridors to allow Ukrainians to seek safe passage away from the war zone.
