Russia enforces entry ban on 99 Canadian citizens

Ban targets Canada's political elite, not ordinary citizens, says Russian Foreign Ministry.

Russia issued a permanent entry ban on 99 Canadian citizens as a countermeasure, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

"Russia imposes a permanent entry ban on 99 Canadian citizens, who are involved in the elaboration and implementation of Ottawa's anti-Russia policies, as a countermeasure," the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry added that the ban was not targeted at ordinary Canadian people, because it can distinguish the current political elite of Canada with the Canadian people.