Canada is imposing sanctions on Moldovan oligarchs, business people and politicians over their connections to Russia and to prevent alleged Russian destabilisation efforts in the region, the Canadian foreign ministry has said.

The sanctions were announced as European leaders are meeting in Moldova in a show of support for the former Soviet republic, which has denounced Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Moldova’s government has accused Russia of trying to destabilise the mainly Romanian-speaking country through its influence over the separatist movement in mainly Russian-speaking Transdniestria region of Moldova.

Since the start of the Russian invasion in Ukraine in February 2022, Canada has imposed sanctions on more than 1,900 individuals and entities.