Canada’s decision last week to send repaired sections of a Russian gas pipeline back to Germany was difficult but necessary, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said Saturday.
The Liberals are facing heavy criticism from Ukraine for exempting six Siemens Energy wind turbines, maintained in Montreal and helping to deliver natural gas to parts of Germany, from sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters on a conference call after the G-20 finance ministers met in Bali, Indonesia, Freeland said she understood Ukraine’s response but defended the government’s move as the appropriate move under the circumstances.
“This was a very difficult decision for Canada and I understand the concern Ukraine has about it, but it was the right thing to do,” Freeland said.
“Canada is united and determined in our support for the people of Ukraine, we have contributed $3.4 billion in total economic and military support, and I am proud that Canada has taken the lead on many fronts to support Ukraine and oppose (Russian President ) Vladimir Putin.”
But Canada alone cannot provide Ukraine with the support it needs, Freeland said, adding that a united effort on the part of Canada’s fellow G-7 and transatlantic alliance members is necessary to ensure that support.
Freeland said Germany was clear that the pipeline, operated by Russian state energy company Gazprom, could pose a problem for its leaders. Russia cut gas deliveries by 60 percent last month from the Nord Stream 1 pipeline that runs through northeastern Germany, citing technical problems related to the turbines.
“Canada heard very clearly from our German allies that Germany’s ability to maintain its support for Ukraine could be at risk,” Freeland said. The United States has publicly supported Canada’s decision to return the turbines, a position Freeland described as very important.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on the other hand, condemned the decision as “absolutely unacceptable” earlier this week.
“The decision to exempt from sanctions will be perceived in Moscow solely as a sign of weakness. That’s their logic,” he said, adding that Russia will now try to cut or shut off gas supplies to Europe at the most critical time.
In Ottawa, opposition MPs on Friday asked senior Liberal ministers to explain the controversial decision during a special meeting of the foreign affairs committee sometime next week.
The Liberals agreed to ask Foreign Minister Melanie Jolie and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson to ask questions.
The Conservatives had called on Freeland to appear, arguing that she had disputed the ruling that the Liberals were trying to shield her testimony before her comments on Saturday.
The committee will also invite the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and the ambassadors of Ukraine, Germany and the European Union to Canada to testify.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 16, 2022.
