The Alberta government has withdrawn its delegation from attending the 21st World Petroleum Congress in Moscow in June in response to escalating tensions in the Ukraine.

The province made the announcement in a release on Wednesday saying it has been monitoring the situation in the region over the past few months.

“Since the beginning of the crisis in Ukraine, Alberta has stood united with the Government of Canada in condemning violence and the violation of Ukraine’s sovereign territory. In the face of ongoing aggression I have made the decision to withdraw all provincial support for the Congress being held in Moscow,” said Premier Dave Hancock .

The Alberta government was planning on setting up a booth in the Canadian Pavillion and was prepared to offer support to the delegation of Alberta based oil and gas companies at the conference.

“The world is a different place now than it was when these plans were initially being made. Continuing actions to undermine stability in Ukraine make Alberta’s participation in Moscow untenable. We continue to support the federal government’s persistent calls to de-escalate the crisis and oppose military aggression and illegal occupation,” said Cal Dallas, Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations.

“Alberta stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and in support of efforts to restore stability and implement democratic and economic reforms. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ukrainian people as we persist in our hope for a peaceful resolution,” said Genia Leskiw, MLA for Bonnyville-Cold Lake and Chair of the Advisory Council on Alberta-Ukraine Relations.

The province says it still supports the Canadian Association of World Petroleum Council and its role in organizing the World Petroleum Congress, which is held every three years.

The WPC is from June 15 to 19 in Moscow, Russia.