The Conservative Nation Defence Critic says no efforts should be made to improve Russian-Canadian relationships while Russian troops remain in Ukraine. James Bezan, who's also the MP for Selkirk-Interlake-Eastman's comments come after a press conference where Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov stated Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed interest in normalizing relationships. While Trudeau is quoted as saying he called for Russia to cease interference in Ukraine, Bezan's still concerned.

"I just don't see how that is possible, nor does the Conservative party. You can't normalize relationships with Russia when they're still supplying arms, supplies, and troops to the rebels fighting in eastern Ukraine calls the Donbass"

Bezan's concerned any attempts to normalize that relationship would undermine Canada's efforts to support Ukraine, following the Russian annexation of Crimea. Bezan describes the process leading to the annexation as Farcical, and says many things need to happen before those relationships can improve.

"I think we have to stand up very firmly as Canadians, along with our coalition partners, and tell Russia that we'll never accept a single square inch of Ukrainian Territory being turned over to Russia. If they want sanctions to drop, if they want to be a respected member of the international community again, if they want to have normal relationships with their neighbours such as Canada, then they need to get out of Ukraine."

Bezan says at the very least Canada needs to maintain the current sanctions on Russia, if not increase the sanctions.