EU: no violation in Canada handing over turbine to Germany for russian Nord Stream-1 gas pipeline
The European Union (EU) does not see sanctions violation in Canada's decision to hand over a repaired turbine to Germany for installation on the russian Nord Stream-1 gas pipeline.
It was stated by the European Commission spokesperson, Tim McPhee, at a briefing in Brussels, European Pravda reports.
"We are closely monitoring the situation and have taken into account that Canada has decided to return this turbine to Germany. One of the excuses was that russia would reduce gas supplies via Nord Stream-1. Regarding the sanctions, I would like to remind you that they do not apply to materials and natural gas-related technologies," McPhee said.
As Rubryka reported, the Canadian government previously stated that it would make an exception to the sanctions against russia.
The turbine, built in Canada by Siemens, was sent to Montreal for repair and "stuck" there due to sanctions against russia's oil and gas industry over its war in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the country wants to expand sanctions against the gas, oil, and chemical sectors of the russian federation.
The Canadian government says the move will support "Europe's ability to access reliable and affordable energy as it continues to move away from russian oil and gas."
Canada added that "in the absence of the necessary natural gas supply, the German economy will suffer from significant difficulties. And the Germans themselves will be at risk of not being able to heat their homes as winter approaches."
At the same time, Canada announced that it would expand sanctions against russia's energy sector, including industrial production.
The new sanctions will affect land transport, pipelines, metal and transport production, and electrical, computer, and mechanical equipment.
Reference
On July 9, the mass media wrote that the German government received a positive signal from Canada regarding the supply of a turbine to Germany, which is necessary for the maintenance of the Nord Stream-1 gas pipeline.
However, Canada's Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson later said that a decision on handing the turbines over to Germany has not yet been made. And the company Siemens Energy Canada, which built this turbine, said that they continue to comply with the sanctions.
The purpose of the turbine
As Rubryka reported, on June 14, Gazprom announced that it would reduce gas supplies to Germany through the Nord Stream pipeline by approximately 40%, as the company noted, due to the alleged untimely repair work by Siemens.
The russian federation said that the German group Siemens allegedly did not supply the necessary equipment for repair, which is serviced in Canada.
That turbine was sent to Montreal for repairs but is stuck due to sanctions against russia's oil and gas industry announced by the Canadian government last month.
German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said that the Nord Stream 1 turbine must be returned before the start of repair work on July 11. Its release would deprive the Kremlin of an excuse to keep the pipeline closed.
Ukraine opposed the transfer of turbines by Canada. The Canadian Congress of Ukrainians even sent an official letter to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and members of his government.
Congress emphasized that the fate of the turbine is "a test of the Canadian government's determination to maintain sanctions and continue to isolate russia."
Read Rubryka's daily timeline of war: current news on Ukraine's defense against russia's aggression.
