Russia’s Gazprom cut capacity along the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to just 40% of usual levels last month, citing the delayed return of a turbine serviced by Germany’s Siemens Energy to Canada. The decision to return the turbine had already been made, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday. The turbine will first be sent to Germany, which will then hand it over to Gazprom so Canada does not run afoul of any sanctions, a government source told Reuters. Siemens Energy declined to comment on the news. The Kremlin said on Friday it would increase gas supplies to Europe if the turbine is returned. Ukraine opposes Canada’s delivery of the turbine to Gazprom, and Kyiv believes such a move would defy sanctions on Russia, a Ukrainian energy ministry source said on Thursday. The fate of the turbine has highlighted the unintended consequences of Western sanctions against Russia in response to its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
