Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and former premier Ed Stelmach are among the latest 100 Canadians sanctioned by the Russian government for backing Ukraine. .“In response to the continued practice by the regime of Prime Minister J. Trudeau of imposing sanctions against the Russian leadership, politicians and parliamentarians, representatives of the business community, experts and journalists, cultural figures, as well as anyone whom the Canadian Russophobic authorities consider objectionable, entry is closed on the basis of reciprocity for 100 Canadian citizens,” said the Russian Foreign Ministry in a Monday press release. .The Russian Foreign Ministry said these people are “directly involved in the formation of an aggressive anti-Russian course.”.Smith acknowledged she had been sanctioned by Russia. .“My response to Putin: we will be announcing more funding and supports for Ukrainian refugees later today,” said Smith. .She said her response to Europe is “free yourselves from Russian energy.” She added she will be planning a trip to Germany soon to talk about deleveraging Russia’s hold on European markets. .Smith said sorry for past comments she made about Ukraine before re-entering politics on Oct. 18. .READ MORE: Smith apologizes for past comments on the Russian invasion of Ukraine."My knowledge and opinion of this matter have drastically evolved since that time, and I apologize for those previous comments," she said. .She said most of the conflict about Ukraine revolves around "different people being crammed under one national government that don't like each other." .Other politicians who were sanctioned by Russia include former defence minister Peter MacKay and former Quebec premier Jean Charest. .The journalists who were sanctioned include CBC host Adrienne Arsenault, CTV National News chief international correspondent Paul Workman, and Global News chief political correspondent David Akin. The cultural figures are those such as actor Jim Carrey and author Margaret Atwood. .Former Alberta premier Jason Kenney was added to the long list of Canadians prohibited from entering Russia in April. .READ MORE: Kenney added to list of Canadians banned from Russia.Kenney said he had no imminent plans to visit the Kremlin and was honoured to be included on the list..“Anyone who is on Vladimir Putin’s blacklist is, I think, on the right side of history,” he said.
