ARCHIVE PHOTO – The pipes of the ground facilities of the “Nord Stream 1” gas pipeline are shown in Lubmin, Germany, on March 8, 2022. REUTERS / Hannibal HanschkeHANNIBAL HANSCHKE / Reuters
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Ottawa has succumbed to German pressure and will return a Russian gas turbine in Germany that Moscow has considered fundamental to the flow of natural gas in Europe.
Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson announced the decision in a statement on Saturday. He said the Canadian government is sending the turbine back at the urging of Germany and other European countries, which are trying to replenish gas stocks for the coming winter months.
The grounded turbine, which was under repair at a Siemens facility in Montreal, will be sent to Germany, whose government will then deliver it to Russia. The indirect process will allow Canada to say it has not waived the sanctions it introduced after the invasion of Ukraine. These restrictions prohibit the export of certain goods and technologies to Russia, including the turbine.
The Ukrainian government and the Canadian Ukrainian Congress have rejected the move, saying it will benefit Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime and undermine Canada’s commitment to large-scale sanctions against Russia.
Russian state natural gas company Gazprom has blamed the missing turbine for its decision to reduce capacity along the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, which runs below the Baltic Sea to Germany, by up to 60 percent. Germany faces the prospect of energy rationing unless Russia allows more natural gas to flow.
“Canada will grant a limited and revocable time permit to Siemens Canada to allow the return of repaired Nordstream 1 turbines to Germany, supporting Europe’s ability to access reliable and affordable energy as they continue to move away of Russian oil and gas, “Mr. Wilkinson said in his statement. “In the absence of a necessary supply of natural gas, the German economy will suffer very significant difficulties and the Germans themselves will run the risk of not being able to heat their homes as winter approaches.”
Russia has an additional turbine that could be put into operation, and German officials have said Moscow is using the sanctioned turbine as an excuse to apply economic pressure to Europe. Returning the turbine would eliminate that excuse, German Vice Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck said earlier this week in a call to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
In his statement, Mr. Wilkinson explained why Canada is acting to help Germany at the expense of sanctions intended to help Ukraine. “During the winter months, the Russian regime and its propaganda weapons are trying to exploit the instability they have created to justify a further destabilization of European energy security,” he said. “In doing so, President Putin also hopes to sow division among the Allies, who have shown unprecedented unity in support of Ukraine. We cannot allow this to happen.”
He added that Canada will continue to impose sanctions on Moscow and is working with European leaders to end dependence on Russian gas imports as soon as possible and to stabilize energy markets.
Alexandra Chyczij, national president of the Ukrainian Ukrainian Congress, issued an energetic statement, saying the government had bowed to “Russian blackmail.”
“By acceding to Germany’s request, Canada will not only contravene its policy of isolating Russia, but will set a dangerous precedent that will lead to the weakening of the sanctions regime imposed on Russia,” he said.
He added that the ramifications of “Canada’s capitulation to Russian ultimatums” will be far-reaching.
“A precedent has been set in which the Russians know that at the first sign of difficulty, our government will submit to Russian blackmail and energy terrorism. Inevitably, this will encourage Russia to a new aggression, causing Ukraine, the European Union and Canada is less secure. “
Mrs. Chyczij added that past Kremlin pacifications led to Russian occupation of Crimea and the Donbas in 2014, and to the large-scale attack on Ukraine on February 24 this year.
“This decision will ensure that the coffers of the Russian state budget will continue to be filled with European money that will be used to fund Russia’s genocide against the Ukrainian people,” he said.
The Ukrainian embassy said that Kyiv will make an official statement on Sunday. As a possible sign of displeasure, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed his ambassador to Germany on Saturday. He also fired envoys to India, the Czech Republic, Norway and Hungary.
The Trudeau government acted quickly on Saturday to dispel criticism by announcing new sanctions on Russia. Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said in a statement that the restrictions will apply to “pipeline transport and the manufacture of metals and transport, computer, electronic and electrical equipment, as well as machinery.”
Once the measures are in place, he said, Canadian companies will have 60 days to enter into contracts with Russian industries and services.
Sabine Sparwasser, sent from Germany to Canada, expressed her country’s gratitude to Ottawa for releasing the turbine.
“It simply came to our notice then. But it is crucial to help Canada’s European allies consistently build independence from Russian energy and preserve our unity, ”he said in a statement.
Germany remains an ally of Ukraine in the war against Russia through military and financial support, and thanks to its support for Kyiv’s candidacy to become a member of the European Union, he added.
Mr. Trudeau was under intense pressure from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who raised the turbine problem with him at the G7 summit in late June. Mr. Scholz plans a trade visit to Canada on August 22 and 23 to boost the construction of liquefied natural gas export facilities on Canada’s east coast, which would allow Europe to replace part of Russia’s supply with Canadian fuel. .
Germany is also interested in investing in green hydrogen projects and in the mining of critical minerals that are essential for the country’s automotive, chemical and high-tech industries.