Ukraine cries foul as Canada sends Nord Stream 1 turbine to Germany

by Georgi Gotev

Ukraine’s energy and foreign ministries said on Sunday (10 July) they were “deeply disappointed” by Canada’s decision to hand back to Germany a gas turbine needed for the Nord Stream 1 pipeline.

Earlier this month, Russia’s state-controlled Gazprom has cut the capacity along the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to just 40% of usual levels, citing the delayed return of a turbine being serviced by Germany’s Siemens Energy, in Canada.

The Nord Stream 1 pipeline transports 55 billion cubic metres (bcm) a year of gas from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea. Ukraine had urged Canada not to return the repaired part, saying it would undermine sanctions against Russia.

Siemens said Canada’s decision to allow a turbine to be sent from its repair shop in Canada to Germany was a necessary first step towards returning it to the Russian pipeline it operates, and that it was aiming to get it there as soon as possible.

“The political export decision is a necessary and important first step for the delivery of the turbine. Currently, our experts are working intensively on all further formal approvals and logistics,” Siemens Energy said in a statement.

“Among other things, this involves legally required export and import control procedures. Our goal is to transport the turbine to its place of operation as quickly as possible,” it added.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was relieved that Canada cleared the way for the delivery of the turbine. “We welcome the decision of our Canadian friends and allies,” he said.

The return of the gas turbine to Russia after servicing in Canada has highlighted unforeseen consequences of the Western sanctions against Russia in response to its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

Reportedly, under the compromise, the turbine would be sent to Germany first, so Canada does not breach any sanctions. Then Germany will deliver the turbine to Russia.

Ukraine’s energy and foreign ministries said on Sunday they were “deeply disappointed” by Canada’s decision to hand back the repaired turbine to Germany.

The statement, published on the energy ministry’s website, called on the Canadian government to reverse its decision and said that returning the turbine would amount to adjusting the sanctions imposed on Moscow “to the whims of Russia.”

*first published in: www.euractiv.com