Canada is recalling its ambassador to Russia for consultations about the crisis in Ukraine and is freezing preparations to take part in the Group of Eight summit in Sochi, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said on Saturday.
He warns that should Putin push forward with military action, it will lead to "ongoing negative consequences" for Canada-Russia relations.
The special cabinet meeting was called after Putin received permission Saturday to use the country's military in Ukraine, officially deploying troops in the strategic region of Crimea.
The Department of Foreign Affairs, meanwhile, is advising against travel to the region and says Canadians already there should consider leaving "while it is safe to do so."
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Foreign Secretary @WilliamJHague says the UK has summoned the Russian ambassador over Ukraine. Developing: http://cnn.it/1hyPtEs