The pipes of the ground facilities of the “Nord Stream 1” gas pipeline are shown in Lubmin, Germany, on March 8, 2022. HANNIBAL HANSCHKE / Reuters
The Ukrainian government on Sunday expressed “deep disappointment” at Canada’s decision to return repaired Russian-owned gas turbines that had been stranded in Montreal due to sanctions against Moscow, and warned that the measure would encourage Russia to continue to use energy as a weapon.
Russia last month cited the delayed return of turbine equipment, which German company Siemens Energy had been lending to Canada, as the reason for its reduced flow to 40 percent of capacity through the North Pipeline. Stream 1 from Russia to Germany.
The Canadian government announced Saturday that it would return the turbines, using an exemption to avoid Ottawa sanctions on Russia, citing requests from Germany and other European countries trying to replenish gas stocks for the coming winter months.
The grounded turbines will be sent to Germany, whose government will deliver them to Russia.
Also, as the Globe first reported on Sunday, the number of blocked North Stream turbines in Montreal that have been sent back is much larger than originally thought.
A government source said there are in fact six turbines. The Globe grants anonymity to the source because they are not allowed to discuss the matter publicly.
In a statement posted on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Kyiv described Canada’s decision to issue an export permit allowing the return of the repaired turbine equipment as “adjustment of the regime of sanctions at the whims of Russia “.
“This dangerous precedent violates international solidarity, goes against the rule of law and will only have one consequence: it will strengthen Moscow’s sense of impunity,” the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry and the Ministry said. of Energy of Ukraine.
In the statement, Kyiv also answered Russia’s claim that it required the returned turbine equipment to meet its natural gas deliveries to Germany.
The Ukrainian government said that Russia’s demand for the return of the turbine equipment to resume a larger volume of natural gas deliveries to Europe led to blackmail and unconventional war tactics. Returning the equipment “will allow Russia to continue using energy as a hybrid warfare tool against Europe,” Kyiv said.
Ukrainians of Ukrainian descent protested Sunday against the decision on Parliament Hill and in front of Montreal City Hall. Later Sunday, protesters also gathered in front of Siemens Canada offices in the Montreal suburb of Dorval.
Canadian sanctions law contains mechanisms that allow the government to issue export permits even when such exports are prohibited.
On Saturday, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson announced that the repaired turbine equipment would be shipped to Germany with a special export permit. 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.
“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 while following the oil transition and Russian 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.”
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 embolden 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.
Conservative foreign critic Michael Chong said Sunday that the Liberal government’s decision will “perversely” increase Russian gas exports to Europe, although Ottawa denies new liquefied natural gas pipelines and terminals would increase Canadian gas exports.
“Instead of circumventing the package of global sanctions aimed at punishing Putin, the Liberal government should approve new pipelines and liquid natural gas terminals so that Canadian natural gas can displace Russian energy supply to Europe,” he said. in a statement signed by several other Conservative MPs. .
The Trudeau government acted swiftly on Saturday to dampen 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 turbines.
“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.
Trudeau was under intense pressure from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who raised with him the issue of turbines at the G7 summit in late June. Mr. Scholz plans a trade visit to Canada on August 22 and 23 to drive the construction of liquefied natural gas export facilities on Canada’s east coast.
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.
With Reuters and Associated Press archives
Our Morning Update and Evening Update newsletters are written by Globe editors, who give you a concise summary of the most important headlines of the day. Sign up today.