Souris-Moose Mountain MP Dr. Robert Kitchen has been banned from Russia, along with over 300 other Canadians including most members of parliament, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. 

This move was taken in part because of Canada’s sanctions on Russia. 

“I was told by somebody else that all of a sudden, I was one of the 300 plus that have been banned from Russia,” said Kitchen. "It doesn't surprise me. I think the reality is me going to Russia is not the important issue here. The important issue is Ukrainians and protecting Ukrainian people.” 

He added that he wants to be clear that the sanctions on Russia were put in place after Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine.  

“Putin is doing what he's doing, and I can't speak for why he's doing it,” said Kitchen. “I think that is the most important thing that we need to focus on is why this individual is doing what he's doing, and we need to find ways to stop it.” 

Kitchen thinks that there is more that Canada can and should do to help Ukraine.  

“In Canada we're importing Russian oil and so that needs to be stopped, and when the Prime Minister turns around and says, well we haven't done it since 2019, well, we've been importing over $300 million a year of oil related products that have come from Russia. Those things need to be stopped.” 

He said that Canada should also provide additional weapons, and work with allies in NATO to help train the Ukrainian forces. 

“To assist the Ukraine airports in provision of MiG-29 fighter jets, now we don't have those but there are ways we can work with people to try and assist that because that's what the pilots have been trained on in the Ukraine, so providing them with an F-18 isn't going to be of assistance, whereas finding ways to help them with MiG-29, that would be helpful.” 

Kitchen added that the Conservatives have pushed for the government to make the process quicker for Ukrainian refugees, by allowing them to deal with paperwork and visas after they are already in Canada.