Baird condemns barbaric Ukraine kidnapping, as Russian Olympics approach

OTTAWA – Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird says Canada will be keeping a close eye on Russia’s involvement in the turbulent Ukraine as it hosts next week’s Winter Olympics.

Baird says Canada will continue to vigilantly monitor developments in Ukraine as the world spotlight shifts to Russia.

The minister is also registering Canada’s outrage at the barbaric kidnapping of an opposition activist who was reportedly crucified by his Ukrainian captors.

The Harper government has barred Ukrainian government officials from entering Canada because it says it is suppressing dissent.

For two months now, Ukraine has been rocked by raucous anti-government protests, some of which have turned violent.

The dissent erupted after the government bowed to Russian pressure and abandoned an economic co-operation agreement with Europe.