| It's a new feeling, this envy of Canada's political leadership. A pity PM Harper could never come south to take over our presidency. |
[Al Ahram] Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper Monday added his name to warnings that Russia could be stripped of membership in the Group of Eight industrialized nations if it doesn't reverse course in Ukraine. The move is being considered by Canada and other G8 members as part of a basket of sanctions targeting Russia over its military intervention in the Crimea region of Ukraine.
On Sunday, the group withdrew from preparations for June's G8 summit in Sochi to protest Russia's violation of Ukraine's illusory sovereignty.
"(Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin's action has put his country on a course of diplomatic and economic isolation, and that could well see Russia exit the G8 entirely," Harper said.
Earlier, Harper spoke by telephone with his Ukrainian counterpart, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, pledging his support and Canada's assistance "during this important period of transition, including related to the upcoming elections."
Canada was the first Western nation to recognize an independent Ukraine in 1991.
Canada has a large Ukrainian community -- there are 1.2 million Canadians of Ukrainian descent, according to the latest census.