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The Conservatives’ Rob Nicholson is blaming Russian leader Vladimir Putin for the deadly attacks launched by vehemently anti-Russian groups in Ukraine.

Nicholson, who is running for re-election, has been serving as Canada’s Foreign Affairs minister.

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Three security officers were killed and 140 injured in clashes between Ukraine government forces and the anti-Russian groups, including members of the ultranationalist Svoboda party.

Ukraine government investigators have summoned nearly 30 people for questioning in connection with the attacks, including Svoboda leader Oleh Tyahnybok.

Tyahnybok was among the Ukrainian officials who in 2014 greeted then-Foreign Affairs minister John Baird in Kyiv. Baird had travelled to Ukraine to pledge Canada’s support for its new government.

But Nicholson on Tuesday issued a statement saying that Putin was responsible for the violence caused by the anti-Russian extremists.