Canada returns repaired Nord Stream turbine to Germany, despite Ukraine resistance

The turbine, which is maintained by Siemens in Canada, was shipped to Montreal for repairs prior to the sanctions taking effect. Since then, the device has been held there because sanctions against Russia came into effect in the meantime. Ukraine on Friday called on Canada not to return the turbine, because this 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 Minister for Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson said the decision was made to return the gas turbine “after intensive discussions with our European friends and allies”. Government sources told Reuters news agency earlier this week that the turbine will go to Germany first. The country 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 the allies.

Germany is still dependent on Russia for a large part of its gas needs. The throttling of the gas supply via Nord Stream was therefore seen by Berlin as a political choice of the Kremlin. Due to the lesser gas supply, there is a risk that gas in Germany will be rationed. This would have major consequences for the industry in the country in particular.

The Russian gas group Gazprom invoked the work to justify the reduced deliveries to Germany via the gas pipeline since June. Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said on Friday that the pipeline’s capacity would be increased again if the repaired turbine was delivered to Russia. Germany itself regarded the reduced supplies as an “economic attack”.

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