Criticism of this exemption from sanctions against Russia came from Ukraine. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Energy in Kyiv said it was “deeply disappointed” by the Canadian government’s decision to make an exception. “We call on the Canadian government to reconsider this decision and to ensure the integrity of the sanctions system,” it said from the country attacked by Russia.
Reduced gas supplies from Russia
The Russian energy company Gazprom had its gas deliveries to Germany through the Baltic Sea pipeline in mid-June north streaming 1 reduced. The reason given in Moscow is the missing turbine, which cannot be returned from Canada after maintenance work due to sanctions. Canada now wants to have the turbine sent to Germany instead of directly to Russia. Meanwhile, Austria’s Energy Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) is also expecting a further reduction in Russian gas supplies as a result of maintenance work.
Ukraine, which has now been defending itself against a Russian war of aggression for four and a half months, criticized Russia’s ability to supply gas in full even without the turbine. “Russia’s demand for the mandatory return of the turbine to continue gas transportation is blackmail.” If the West now gives in, a “dangerous precedent” will be set that will reinforce “Moscow’s sense of impunity,” sources in Kyiv said.
Canada, on the other hand, had argued that without the necessary gas supply, the German economy would suffer greatly and Germans might not be able to heat their homes in winter. The aim is to ensure that Europe has “access to reliable and affordable energy” while slowly moving away from Russian oil and gas.
After the approval of the Canadian government, the energy technology group Siemens Energy is hoping for a speedy release of the Russian gas turbines for the Baltic Sea gas pipeline that are being serviced there. “Our goal is to transport the turbine to its place of use as quickly as possible,” the group said on Sunday. The political decision is a necessary and important first step for the export license for the turbine. “Our experts are currently working flat out on all other formal approvals and logistics; these include processes that are subject to export and import controls.”
Source: Nachrichten
