Canadas government sanctioned veteran TV journalist Vladimir Pozner on Monday,the third anniversary of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as well as dozens of other individuals and entities.Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who was visiting Kyiv,said the targeted individuals and organizations support the Russian military, the Kremlins propaganda efforts and the forced transfer of Ukrainian children.We are strengthening our commitments, providing additional support and working with our partners to secure peace and freedom for Ukraine, Trudeau said.Pozner, 90, has not publicly taken a stance on Russias invasion but has suggested that Western refusal to block Ukraines NATO ambitions played a role in the conflict.
He has described Putin as anything but insane and has said he turned down work offers abroad because they required him to denounce the Russian leader.Pozners long-running interview show was taken off the air soon after the February 2022 invasion.
Pozners recent appearances in Western cities have sparked controversy among critics who accuse him of failing to speak out against the war.Pozner told Russian media late Monday that he was absolutely caught off guard by the news of Canadian sanctions and did not know why he was targeted.I received a call [about the sanctions] just 10 seconds ago, the journalist was quoted as saying.I dont know what else to say other than Im bewildered.Pozner rose to prominence in the West during the Cold War for his televised explanations of Soviet policies a role he later described as propaganda.Since Russian troops invaded Ukraine on Feb.
24, 2022, Canada has imposed sanctions on more than 3,000 individuals and entities.Besides Pozner, Canadian sanctions on Monday also targeted Anna Tsivilyova, Russias deputy defense minister and daughter of President Vladimir Putins cousin; her husband, Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilyov; Russias Aerospace Forces;Russias Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Defense Troops; and the Akhmat Kadyrov Foundation.