Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register July 17 (Reuters) – President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he told Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Sunday that the Ukrainians would never accept Canada’s decision to return a gas turbine destined for a Russian pipeline because it would encourage more sanctions violations. Zelensky said in his nightly video speech that he had spoken with Trudeau earlier and thanked him for his support. “However, I separately emphasized that the Ukrainians will never accept Canada’s decision regarding the Nord Stream turbine,” he said. Handing him over to Germany violated sanctions, he added. Trudeau said on Wednesday that it was a “very difficult decision” to grant an exemption from sanctions imposed on Russia to return the repaired turbine, which is needed for the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline. But Zelensky, echoing earlier statements by other Ukrainian officials, said Russia was being blackmailed with natural gas. “If there’s one breach now, it’s only a matter of time before there are more,” he said. Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register Report by Elaine Monaghan. Editor: Daniel Wallis Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
