Ukraine’s government on Sunday expressed “deep disappointment” over Canada’s decision to send back refurbished Russian-owned gas turbines that had been blocked in Montreal because of sanctions against Moscow, warning that the move would encourage Russia to continue using energy as a weapon . Russia last month cited the delayed return of turbine equipment, which Germany’s Siemens Energy had been servicing in Canada, as the reason behind reducing its flow to 40% of capacity through the Nord Stream 1 natural gas pipeline from Russia to Germany The Canadian government announced Saturday it would return the turbines — using an exemption to circumvent Ottawa’s sanctions on Russia — citing requests from Germany and other European countries trying to replenish natural gas stocks for the coming winter months. The grounded turbines will be sent to Germany, whose government will then hand them over to Russia. Also, as the Globe first reported on Sunday, the number of Nord Stream turbines stuck in Montreal and being shipped back is much higher than first thought. A government source said there are actually six turbines. The Globe is granting the anonymity of the source because it is not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. In a statement posted on Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry website, Kyiv described Canada’s decision to issue an export permit allowing the return of repaired turbine equipment as “tailoring the sanctions regime to Russia’s whims.” “This dangerous precedent violates international solidarity, goes against the principle of the rule of law and will have only one consequence: it will strengthen Moscow’s sense of impunity,” the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry and the Ukrainian Energy Ministry said. In the statement, Kyiv also disputed Russia’s claim that it required the returned turbine equipment to fulfill gas deliveries to Germany. The Ukrainian government said Russia’s demand for the return of turbine equipment in order to resume its bulk gas deliveries to Europe amounted to blackmail and unconventional warfare tactics. The return of the equipment “will allow Russia to continue using energy as a tool of hybrid warfare against Europe,” Kyiv said. Canadians of Ukrainian descent protested the decision Sunday on Parliament Hill and outside Montreal City Hall. Later Sunday, protesters also gathered outside Siemens Canada’s offices in the Montreal suburb of Dorval. The Canadian Sanctions Act contains mechanisms that allow the government to issue export licenses even where such export may be prohibited. On Saturday, Canada’s Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson announced that the repaired turbine equipment would be sent to Germany under a special export permit. The indirect process would allow Canada to say it has not waived the sanctions it imposed after the invasion of Ukraine. These restrictions prohibit the export of certain goods and technologies to Russia, including the turbine. “Canada will grant a time-limited and revocable license to Siemens Canada to allow the return of repaired Nordstream 1 turbines to Germany, supporting Europe’s ability to access reliable and affordable energy as they continue to move away from Russian oil and natural gas”. Wilkinson said in his statement. “If there is not the necessary supply of natural gas, the German economy will suffer very significant difficulties and the Germans themselves will be at risk of not being able to heat their homes as winter approaches.” German officials said Moscow was using the approved turbine as an excuse to put economic pressure on Europe. The turbine’s return would eliminate that excuse, German Vice Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck said earlier this week in an appeal to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. In his statement, Mr. Wilkinson explained why Canada is acting to help Germany at the expense of sanctions that were meant to help Ukraine. “Ahead of the winter months, the Russian regime and its propaganda arms are seeking to exploit the instability they have created to justify further destabilizing European energy security,” he said. “In doing so, President Putin also hopes to sow division among the Allies, who have shown unprecedented unity in support of Ukraine. We cannot allow this to happen.” He added that Canada will continue to impose sanctions on Moscow and is working with European leaders to end dependence on Russian gas imports as soon as possible and stabilize energy markets. Alexandra Chyczij, national president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, issued a strongly worded statement, saying the government has bowed to “Russian blackmail.” “In accepting Germany’s request, Canada will not only violate Russia’s policy of isolation, but will set a dangerous precedent that will lead to a weakening of the sanctions regime imposed on Russia,” he said. He added that the consequences of Canada’s “capitulation to Russian ultimatums” would be far-reaching. “A precedent has been set where the Russians know that at the first sign of trouble, our government will succumb to Russian blackmail and energy terrorism. Inevitably this will embolden Russia to further aggression – making Ukraine, the European Union and Canada less safe.” Ms Chyczij added that the Kremlin’s appeasement in the past led to the Russian occupation of Crimea and Donbass in 2014 and the widespread attack on Ukraine on February 24 this year. “This decision will ensure that the coffers of the Russian state budget will continue to be filled with European money that will be used to finance Russia’s genocide against the Ukrainian people,” he said. Conservative foreign critic Michael Chong said Sunday the Liberal government’s decision would “perversely” increase Russian gas exports to Europe, even as Ottawa denies new pipelines and liquefied natural gas terminals that would boost Canadian gas exports . “Instead of bypassing the global sanctions package designed to punish Putin, the Liberal government should approve new pipelines and LNG terminals so Canadian gas can displace Russian energy supplies to Europe,” he said. in a statement signed by many other Conservative MPs. . The Trudeau government moved quickly on Saturday to soften the criticism by announcing new sanctions on Russia. Secretary of State Melanie Jolie said in a statement that the restrictions would apply to “pipeline transportation and the manufacturing of metals and transportation, computers, electronic and electrical equipment, and machinery.” Once the measures take effect, he said, Canadian businesses will have 60 days to enter into contracts with targeted Russian industries and services. Sabine Sparwasser, Germany’s envoy to Canada, expressed her country’s gratitude to Ottawa for the release of the turbines. “We know it wasn’t easy. But it is vital that we help Canada’s European Allies steadily build independence from Russian Energy and that preserves our unity,” she said in a statement. Germany remains an ally of Ukraine in the war against Russia through military and economic support and through its support for Kiev’s bid to join the European Union, he added. Mr Trudeau came under intense pressure from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who raised the turbine issue with him at the G7 summit in late June. Mr. Scholz is planning a trade visit to Canada on August 22 and 23 to push for the construction of LNG export facilities on Canada’s east coast. Germany is also interested in investing in green hydrogen projects and mining critical minerals essential to the country’s automotive, chemical and high-tech industries. With files from Reuters and the Associated Press The Morning Update and Afternoon Update newsletters are written by Globe editors, giving you a concise summary of the day’s most important headlines. Sign up today.
