Canada returns repaired Nord Stream turbine to Germany despite resistance from Ukraine | Abroad

The turbine, which is maintained by Siemens in Canada, was shipped to Montreal for repair before the sanctions took effect. The device has since been held there because sanctions against Russia have come into force in the meantime. Ukraine called on Canada on Friday not to return the turbines, because that would be a violation of sanctions. However, Germany wanted an exception to this to prevent the gas supply from coming to a complete standstill.

Canadian Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said the decision was made to return the gas turbines “after extensive discussions with our European friends and allies”. Government sources told Reuters earlier this week that the turbines would go to Germany first. The state will then supply the gas pipeline to the Russian state gas company Gazprom. Wilkinson accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of trying to sow divisions among allies.

Germany still depends on Russia for a large part of its gas needs. Therefore, Berlin considered the throttling of gas supplies via Nord Stream a political option for the Kremlin. Due to the lack of gas supply, there is a risk that gas will be rationed in Germany. This will have serious consequences for the industry in the country in particular.

The Russian gas group Gazprom relied on this work to justify the reduction of shipments to Germany via the gas pipeline since June. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that the pipeline’s capacity will increase again If the repaired turbines will be delivered to Russia† Germany itself considered reduced supplies as an “economic attack”.