New Canadian Government Likely to Soften Rhetoric Toward Russia

Adam Smith, who was a candidate for the Green Party of Canada in the recent federal elections claims that the newly-elected Canadian government is likely soften the country's stance toward Russia.

MOSCOW (Sputnik), Anastasia Levchenko — The newly-elected Canadian government is likely soften the country's stance toward Russia, Adam Smith, who was a candidate for the Green Party of Canada in the recent federal elections, told Sputnik.

On Monday, liberal leader Justin Trudeau was elected the new prime minister after ten years of Conservative Party leadership in Canada.

"I suspect calmer heads from our new government on the Ukrainian situation… We will reduce the demonization of Putin that makes diplomacy so impossible," Smith said.

Smith noted that the fundamentals of Canada's stance on the Ukrainian crisis and the Crimean referendum will remain unchanged, only the rhetoric toward Russia will be altered.

Stephen Harper, who had been prime minister until Monday's elections, followed a strongly anti-Russia policy. He provided Kiev with financial and material aid.

Canada is one of the countries that joined Washington in accusing Moscow of fuelling the Ukrainian crisis and imposed economic sanctions as a punitive measure.

The Russian authorities have refuted the accusations, noting that the Western sanctions are counterproductive.