Adding to the dilemma that the Russian ruble is now facing, Canada has decided to increase the pressure even more. The Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, imposed new sanctions on Russia on Friday.

The reason for the new sanctions comes just one day after President Putin chose to blame Western nations for the ruble’s problems. The Foreign Affairs Minister of Canada, John Baird, announced the new sanctions on Friday and stated that they were because of Russia’s involvement in Ukraine.

The new sanctions will put an additional 11 Russians and nine Ukrainians on the list. Other measures will especially target the Russian oil and mining industries. Travel bans are also being put in place against the new people on the list. These are the first additional sanctions made by any nation since the ruble has seen a drastic fall in value.

Canada’s new restrictions will involve the exporting of technology needed for Russia’s new oil exploration and extraction processes. It also prohibits new equity financing for any present debt.

Baird also stated that if Putin wants to have the sanctions lifted so that Russia can gain some financial stability in his country, then he will need to pull his forces out of Ukraine and return Crimea. He also declared that Canada will not accept the “illegal occupation of Crimea.”

The Foreign Affairs Minister also said that Canada was ready to add even more sanctions if needed. His country will work with their allies to develop more restrictions if Putin does not yield and remove his forces.

Sanctions that are already in place by the United States, Canada, the European Union, and other nations target specific industries designed to hurt the government and not the people of Russia – although they will certainly be affected. The sectors targeted include banking, defense, and energy. A number of Russian individuals also have sanctions and travel restrictions placed on them.

President Obama issued a new executive order that places some new restrictions on Crimea. These sanctions prohibit the exporting of goods, services, or technology to Crimea, and vice versa. It also prohibits any new investments being made in Crimea, and authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to place sanctions on individuals or companies in Crimea.

President Obama also indicated that he is willing to start removing sanctions as soon as Russia takes the desired actions. He emphasized that the United States will continue to work with its allies and will respond with them based on Russia’s action.

Last week, Congress passed the Ukraine Freedom Support Act unanimously and is waiting to be signed by the President. It authorizes the support of Ukraine in terms of energy and defense, lethal assistance, and civil society.

European leaders met in Brussels for a meeting to ensure unity among them in face of the Russian situation. The economies of those nations are also suffering from a lack of trade with Russia. They announced that they were determined to continue with the sanctions for the long term, if necessary, and to stand together against Russia in the matter of Ukraine.

In response to the sanctions recently imposed on Russia, Putin has placed a one-year ban on some food imports. It means that Russia will not be buying many food products from the countries that are taking part in the sanctions against it. This includes bans of beef, fish, poultry, pork, fruits and vegetables, nuts, and various dairy products.