Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is in Ottawa to address Parliament today.  His visit comes as Canada is expected to pledge more humanitarian aid to Ukraine and finalize a deal to disburse more than $200-million in loans for Kyiv.

Yesterday afternoon, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird announced that Canada is imposing additional economic sanctions on Russia over the Moscow backed war in eastern Ukraine. Four Russian military personnel have been added to a list of those facing Canadian asset freezes and travel bans.

Baird also confirmed Canada will send 300 election observers and a dozen members of Parliament to Ukraine next month to help monitor the parliamentary elections.  “These elections are an important step for the people of Ukraine.  But the most democratic elections in the world won’t buy them true freedom while a bully stands over them threatening their sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Earlier today, a  building was been hit by rocket fire in the eastern Ukraine city of Donetsk, killing at least one person and adding to the growing number of civilian casualties in the region despite a nearly two-week-old cease-fire.