Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is standing behind Canada’s decision to send repaired Russian turbines back to Germany — despite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s assertion that the move violated sanctions.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Trudeau said the decision to return the turbine was “difficult” but “right.”
“Russia will not succeed in either weaponizing its energy or dividing our allies amongst ourselves. We are focused on being there to support Ukraine,” he said.
“This decision was a difficult one but it was the right one to ensure that we continue to all stand together against Putin’s illegal war in support of Ukraine.”
Earlier this month, Canada granted an exemption to the economic sanctions issued against Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine.
The two-year waiver would allow six Siemens Energy turbines, which were in Montreal for repairs, to be returned to Germany for use in the Russian state-owned Nord Stream 1 pipeline.
Canada sent a turbine for the Nord Stream gas pipeline to Germany by plane on July 17, according to Reuters.
Europe, which is heavily reliant on Russian gas supplies, has been experiencing a reduction in the power source as the Russia-Ukraine war drags on.
The Russian state-owned energy company Gazprom reduced gas deliveries from its Nord Stream 1 pipeline, which runs to northeastern Germany, by 60 per cent last month, citing turbine-related technical problems.
The pipeline is currently completely shut down for planned annual maintenance — but there had been fears Russia could extend this work past the planned July 21 completion date, a move that could jeopardize European gas storage plans ahead of the chilly winter months.
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