Nuances of the Canadian condolences

On October 17, 2018, Chrystia Freeland, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, condemned the mass shooting and explosion at the Kerch Polytechnic College in Crimea.

In her formal statement, Canada’s Minister expressed condolences to families and friends of the students killed and wished a speedy and full recovery to the injured victims. She calls this attack the “cowardly act of violence” against young people in Crimea. At the same time, the document specifies Crimea as a Ukrainian territory, stating that its population has “endured extreme suffering since 2014.”

“We reiterate our unreserved condemnation of Russia’s illegal annexation and invasion of Crimea.”

On October 17, 2018, the college mass shooting and explosion took place in Kerch, Crimea. A student of the Kerch Polytechnic College killed 20 people and injured more than 50. The suspected shooter committed suicide at the scene of the crime. On October 19, hundreds of residents of Kerch participated in funerals, commemorating the victims.

Russian media spread Canada’s official reaction on these tragic events in Kerch without mentioning the country’s stand on Crimea.