MONTREAL, 07 March 2022, (TON): Canada called on its nationals to avoid all travel to Russia because of its invasion of Ukraine and on Canadians in Russia to leave the country.

In an update to its travel advice, the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommended that its nationals “avoid all travel to Russia due to the impacts of the armed conflict with Ukraine.”

The statement added “if you are in Russia, you should leave while commercial means are still available.”

Ottawa had previously advised its citizens to avoid nonessential travel to Russia. In the travel advisory, the ministry said that sanctions on Moscow and Russia’s response may have an important impact on the availability and the provision of essential service. Flight availability is becoming extremely limited.

The ministry also noted that Russia had passed a law on March 4 that severely restricts free speech.

The advisory said “the legislation punishes the publication of what it calls “fake news” about its invasion with jail terms of up to 15 years. Foreign journalists and other media workers in the country may face considerable risks.”

Ottawa urged Canadians in Russia to refrain from discussing the invasion, participating in protests or sharing or publishing information related to current events in Russia and Ukraine.

Canadians who wished to stay in Russia despite the travel advisory were warned they might have to stay “longer than expected” and could be affected by shortages of essential products and services.