Justin Trudeau claims Canada ‘stands against authoritarianism’, announces sanctions against Russia

"Canada and our allies will defend democracy. We are taking these actions today, to stand against authoritarianism," Trudeau said.

Trudeau's announcement is following President Biden, who also announced economic sanctions on Tuesday.

"Trudeau said his government will ban Canadians from all financial dealings with the so-called "independent states" of Luhansk and Donetsk. Canada will also ban Canadians from engaging in purchases of Russian sovereign debt," Reuters reports.

Russian-backed separatists in the two regions broke from the Ukrainian government’s control in 2014 and proclaimed themselves an independent "people's republics." This came after a pro-Moscow Ukrainian president was ousted.

Trudeau said that his government will sanction Russian parliament members who voted to recognize these regions as independent.

Trudeau also said he is authorizing additional troops to the region.

"So today, I am also authorizing the deployment of up to 460 members of the Canadian Armed Forces to Operation Reassurance. This involves more troops to Latvia, as well as the deployment of an additional frigate and maritime patrol aircraft," the Prime Minister said.

"Make no mistake: this is a further invasion of a sovereign state and it is absolutely unacceptable," he said.

Trudeau added that it was not too late to solve the crisis with diplomacy.

Trudeau has come under fire from many critics and world leaders for his response to freedom protests in his own country, and has been accused of authoritarianism and tyranny.