Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Ukraine’s president stands behind Canada’s decision to send repaired Russian turbines back to Germany despite Volodymyr Zelensky’s The move is claimed to have violated sanctions.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Trudeau said the decision to back the turbine was “difficult” but “right”.
“Russia will neither succeed in arming its energies nor dividing our allies. We are focused on being there to support Ukraine,” he said.
“This decision was a difficult one but the right one to ensure that we all stand together in support of Ukraine against Putin’s illegal war.”
Earlier this month, Canada relaxed economic sanctions against Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine.
The two-year exemption 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.
According to Reuters, Canada sent a turbine to Germany for the Nord Stream gas pipeline by plane on 17 July.
Europe, which is heavily dependent on Russian gas supplies, is experiencing power shortages as the Russo-Ukraine war continues.
Russian state-owned energy company Gazprom cut gas delivery from its Nord Stream 1 pipeline, which runs to northeastern Germany, by 60 percent last month, citing technical problems related to turbines.
As Europe bakes, Germany accompanies the return of coal
But the flow of Russian gas from the pipeline is on track to resume in time, Two sources familiar with the export plans told Reuters.
German Energy Sector Officials told Reuters That the country’s domestic energy costs could triple as Russian gas supplies dwindle – something he warned could lead to social unrest.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Trudeau expressed concern about losing people’s support to the West’s stance on the Russo-Ukraine war.
“Russia is choosing to weaponize energy policy not as a way of continuing its attack on Ukraine, but for our strong stance in favor of Ukraine and against Russia while also dividing Western allies among themselves. Weakening public support.” They said.
Still, Zelensky was angered by Canada’s decision, calling it “absolutely unacceptable” last week.
“The decision on the exception of sanctions will be perceived as an expression of weakness in Moscow in particular. This is their argument, ”he said.
The Ukrainian-Canadians have also expressed their shock and dismay at the decision.
At a rally in Ottawa on Sunday, Canadian-Ukrainian Yuri Kolomiets told a crowd of about 150 supporters gathered on the lawn of Parliament Hill that the decision would mean more oil and gas money for Russia for its attack on Ukraine.
“I think it’s okay to supply genocidal lunatics with technology and money, as long as it keeps German voters happy,” Kolomiets told the crowd, a cry of “shame” in response.
“It’s not their kids who are dying in missile attacks.”
Canada’s decision to exempt gas turbines from sanctions was the right thing to do: Freeland
Retired General Rick Hillier, who once served as Canada’s Chief of Defense Staff, spoke out against the decision earlier Tuesday. He cautioned that this could be the beginning of a easing of Western economic pressure on Moscow.
“This decision to send the turbines back … can be seen as a straw breaking the camel’s back, and we can start to see NATO pressure from the West in general,” he said, in a virtual Talking to reporters during the news conference.
“Instead of going up and forward with more and more restrictions, it may be the straw that turns it all the way down.”
— With files from The Canadian Press, Reuters and Global News’ Aaron D’Andrea
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