Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson announced Saturday that the wind turbines would return to Germany after the Canadian government granted what it called an exemption from its current sanctions on Russia. The move came as Canada imposed new sanctions on Russian agents and entities in response to its invasion of Ukraine. But Zelensky was not happy with the decision. “If a terrorist state can extract such an exemption from sanctions, what exemptions will it want tomorrow or the day after tomorrow? This question is very dangerous,” Zelensky said in his Monday night speech. “In addition, it is dangerous not only for Ukraine, but also for all countries of the democratic world.” Zelensky called on the Canadian government to reverse the decision. “Of course, this decision about a turbine, which leads to many other problems, can still be reviewed,” he said. “Russia has never played by the rules in the energy sector and will not play now unless it sees power.” In an interview with CBC’s Power & Politics, Ukraine’s ambassador to Canada Yulia Kovalev said Ukraine will continue to discuss the issue with the Canadian government in the coming weeks. WATCHES | Canada sets ‘dangerous precedent’ with turbine release: Ukraine

Canada sets ‘dangerous precedent’ with turbine release: Ukraine

“This is a very dangerous precedent,” says Ukrainian ambassador Yulia Kovalev of the Canadian government’s decision to release Russian turbines back to Germany. “The Russians are just blackmailing Europe.” “We appreciate the lot of support that the Canadian government has provided to Ukraine in different areas, and we remain hopeful that this decision will be reversed,” he told guest host Paul Hunter. Kovaliv said the revenue from the pipeline would contribute to the bloodshed in Ukraine. “Russia is using energy as a weapon, in Europe and around the world,” Kovalev said. “This money and fuel will support the war in Ukraine … we must be united, all together, to maintain this unity on sanctions and not waver.”

The Minister of Natural Resources defends the decision

Wilkinson says the decision was necessary and that German livelihoods are at risk. In prepared remarks before a news conference in Regina on Monday, Wilkinson said Russia’s war in Ukraine and subsequent geopolitical tensions have shown how vulnerable Europe is on the energy front. “The energy security implications for Europe in particular are potentially catastrophic,” Wilkinson said. “This is not just a matter of inconvenience or even of critical importance in terms of affordability and pocketbooks. This is a fundamental threat to their ability to provide the basics to their citizens, from heat for their homes, fuel to transport food and goods and power to maintain their industries, their jobs and their economies’. In a statement issued on Twitter on Saturday, Wilkinson said the decision to return the wind turbines came after consultations with the German government and other European allies. Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson answers a question at a press conference after the swearing in of the federal cabinet, in Ottawa, Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021. Wilkinson defends a controversial decision to send turbines for the Nord Stream One pipeline. which were being repaired in Canada, back to Europe, which would allow Russia to boost its natural gas exports. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press) “If there is no natural gas supply, the German economy will suffer very significant difficulties and Germans themselves will be at risk of not being able to heat their homes as winter approaches,” he said in the statement. The turbines were in Montreal for repairs, but Siemens — the German company that built them — said last month that Canadian government sanctions on Russian energy company Gazprom prevented it from returning them to Europe. The Nord Stream One pipeline supplies natural gas to Germany from Russia. The Russian government says the pipeline is operating at just 40 percent of capacity right now. Wilkinson said Monday that Canada is working to find ways to supply Canadian liquid natural gas and other commodities such as hydrogen, potash and uranium to Europe. He said Canada can balance boosting energy exports to Europe and meeting greenhouse gas emissions targets. “We can help our European friends in the short term and we can achieve our ambitious and vital climate goals,” he said.

Reaction to the move mixed

The United States government welcomed Canada’s decision to release the turbines to Germany. “In the short term, the turbine will allow Germany and other European countries to replenish their natural gas reserves, increasing their energy security and resilience and countering Russia’s efforts to weaponize energy,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said. in a media statement on Monday. The US is backing Canada’s decision to return a turbine to Germany to counter Russia’s efforts to weaponize the energy. We are grateful for working with Canada and Germany to hold President Putin accountable for his unjustified war against Ukraine. https://t.co/qTkhb9uasX —@StateDeptSpox But a Ukrainian-Canadian advocacy group expressed its opposition. Alexandra Chyczij, president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, said the return of the turbines amounted to “a decision to bow to Russian blackmail.” “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,” Chyczij said in a media statement on Sunday.
In another media statement, also issued Sunday, Ukraine’s foreign and energy ministries expressed “deep disappointment” over Canada’s decision. “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 statement said. WATCHES | Canada returns key turbine to Germany for Russian pipeline:

Ottawa’s plan to return Russian pipeline turbines to Germany is drawing mixed reactions

Ottawa has sparked both outrage and relief over the decision to return six turbines used for the Nord Stream 1 pipeline linking Germany to Russia. The Conservative Party also criticized the move, calling on the government to replace Russian energy in Europe with Canadian resources. “Instead of bypassing the global sanctions package intended to punish Putin, the Liberal government should approve new pipelines and LNG terminals so that Canadian gas can displace Russian energy supplies to Europe,” Conservative MPs Michael Chong, James Bexan and Pierre Paul- Huss said in a statement on Sunday.