Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is defending his government’s decision to return turbines used in a natural gas pipeline from Russia to Germany.
The turbines, which were sent to Montreal for scheduled repairs, were covered by economic sanctions Canada imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.
The federal government said Saturday it will grant a “time-limited and revocable permit” to Siemens Canada to allow the return of turbines used for Nord Stream 1, a set of natural gas pipelines connecting Germany and Russia.
Speaking at a news conference in Kingston, Ontario. on Wednesday, Trudeau said the decision to bring back the turbines was “difficult” but necessary, given the need to support Germany and other European allies in the face of the threat of natural gas shortages.
“We’ve seen Russia consistently try to weaponize energy as a way to create division among allies,” he said.
European countries have promised to give up Russian energy sources, but the transition will take time. Trudeau said bringing back the turbines would help shore up Europe’s energy supplies as they make the transition.
“We have taken this difficult decision to stand by our allies to ensure that in Europe not only governments but also populations remain steadfast and generous in their support for Ukraine,” he said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the Canadian government for its decision to bring back the turbines in an evening address earlier this week. (Press Office of the Ukrainian President via AP)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the Trudeau government earlier this week, calling its decision to return the turbines “absolutely unacceptable” and warning that Moscow would see it as a sign of weakness.
“If a terrorist state can wrest such an exemption from sanctions, what exemptions will it ask for tomorrow or the day after? This question is very dangerous,” Zelensky said in his evening address on Monday.
The CBC requested a statement from the Ukrainian embassy in Ottawa, but was referred to statements issued by the government in Kyiv.
Trudeau said his government continues to pressure Russia through other measures.
On the day the decision to return the turbines was announced, the federal government unveiled a new round of sanctions against Russian agents and organizations, focusing on Russian disinformation efforts and industrial production.
“The sanctions that Canada is leading to, which we continue to enforce more and more strongly, are targeted [Russian President Vladimir] Putin and his minions and are not intended to harm our allies and their populations,” Trudeau said.
The World Ukrainian Congress says it and the Ukrainian-Canadian Congress are urging the federal government to reconsider its decision to return the turbines.
In a statement to the media, the World Ukrainian Congress said it had applied for a judicial review of the decision in the Federal Court.
“Russia is seeking to undermine Canadian and global sanctions and is using the turbine issue to blackmail Canada and Europe,” the statement said.
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