Canada licks its own spit and returns gas turbine to Russia via Germany

Posted On: August 12, 2022

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Canada has finally returned the gas turbines from the Nordstream 1 gas pipeline it held through Germany to Russia. Photo/Illustration/Reuters

JAKARTA – Still under pressure from Germany, which was experiencing a natural gas crisis due to the retention of critical components needed to maintain the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline, Canada finally returned to Russia, via Germany, the equipment which he had grasped.

The return via Germany was done by Canada so as not to appear to have violated self-imposed sanctions. The move also comes amid criticism and pressure from Ukraine, which is why Western countries have imposed sanctions on Russia.

As quoted by RT.com, Monday (11/7/2022), Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, Jonathan Wilkinson, made the announcement on Saturday evening. The minister insisted the move was aimed at ensuring Europe’s ability to access reliable and affordable energy as it continues to move away from Russian oil and gas.

The decision follows Berlin’s request to Ottawa to return components of the Russian gas pipeline amid growing energy shortages. Instead, kyiv pressured Canada not to return the equipment, arguing it would set a precedent and erode anti-Russian sanctions.

Explaining its decision, the Canadian government said that without the necessary supply of natural gas, the German economy would be in dire straits and Germans might not be able to heat their homes as winter approached.

In another measure on Saturday, Ottawa announced a new set of sanctions against Moscow that will apply to land and pipeline transportation, metal manufacturing and transportation, computers, electronic and electrical equipment and machinery.

Russian gas company Gazprom last month cut throughput on the Nord Stream gas pipeline to 40% capacity, citing operational risks after equipment built in Canada by Siemens was held up and could not be returned to time.

Moscow has confirmed that Europe’s gas supply will increase if the turbines are returned. However, on July 11, Gazprom will shut down Nord Stream for 10 days for scheduled maintenance. During this time, any gas flow through the pipe will stop.

The row comes amid a wider standoff between Russia and the European Union, with Brussels trying to block the bloc from getting energy from Russia in a bid to reduce its dependence on the country .

(do)