Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the Canadian government for its decision to return natural gas turbines to Germany that have been hit by sanctions imposed on Russia, calling the move “absolutely unacceptable” and warning that Moscow will see it as a sign of weakness.
Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson announced on Saturday that the turbines would return to Germany after the Canadian government granted what he called a “time-limited and revocable” exception to its current sanctions against Russia. The move came after Canada imposed new sanctions on Russian agents and organizations in response to the invasion of Ukraine.
But Zelensky was not happy with the decision.
“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.
Moreover, 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 one-turbine decision, which leads to many other problems, can still be revisited,” 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 Kovaliv, said Ukraine will continue to discuss the issue with the Canadian government in the coming weeks.
WATCH | Canada sets ‘dangerous precedent’ by releasing turbines: Ukraine
Canada sets ‘dangerous precedent’ by releasing turbines: Ukraine
“This is a very dangerous precedent,” Ukrainian ambassador Yulia Kovaliv says of the Canadian government’s decision to return the Russian turbines back to Germany. The Russians are simply blackmailing Europe.
“We are very appreciative of the support that the Canadian government has provided to Ukraine in various areas, and we still hope that this decision will be overturned,” she 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 in sanctions and not waver in them.”
The Minister of Natural Resources defended the decision
Wilkinson says the decision was necessary and that Germany’s livelihood was at risk.
In prepared remarks before a news conference in Regina on Monday, Wilkinson said Russia’s war on Ukraine and the resulting geopolitical tensions have shown how vulnerable Europe is on the energy front.
“The implications for energy security for Europe in particular are potentially devastating,” Wilkinson said.
“This is not just a matter of inconvenience or even a crisis of affordability and wallets. It is a major threat to their ability to provide the essentials for their citizens, from heat for their homes, to fuel to transport food and goods, and the power to sustain their industries, their jobs and their economies.”
In a statement posted on Twitter on Saturday, Wilkinson said the decision to return the 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 federal cabinet was sworn in, in Ottawa, Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021. Wilkinson defended a controversial decision to send turbines for the Nord Stream 1 pipeline that were being repaired in Canada, back to Europe, which would allow Russia to increase its natural gas exports. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)
“In the absence of natural gas supplies, the German economy will suffer very serious 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 manufactured them – said last month that Canadian government sanctions against Russian energy company Gazprom prevented it from returning them to Europe.
The Nord Stream 1 pipeline supplies natural gas to Germany from Russia. The Russian government says the pipeline is currently operating at only 40 percent of capacity.
Wilkinson said Monday that Canada is working to find ways to ship Canadian liquefied natural gas and other commodities such as hydrogen, potash and uranium to Europe.
He said Canada can balance increasing energy exports to Europe with 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 movement is mixed
The United States government welcomed Canada’s decision to provide the turbines to Germany.
“In the short term, the turbine will allow Germany and other European countries to replenish their gas reserves, increasing their energy security and resilience and countering Russia’s efforts to weaponize energy,” US State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement to the media on Monday.
The US is backing Canada’s decision to return a turbine to Germany to counter Russia’s efforts to weaponize energy. We are grateful for the partnership with Canada and Germany to hold President Putin accountable for his unjustified war on Ukraine. https://t.co/qTkhb9uasX
—@StateDeptSpox
But a Ukrainian-Canadian advocacy group voiced opposition.
Alexandra Chychizh, president of the Ukrainian-Canadian Congress, said returning 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, which will be used to finance Russia’s genocide against the Ukrainian people,” Chichy said in a statement to the media on Sunday.
In another media statement also released Sunday, Ukraine’s foreign and energy ministries expressed “deep disappointment” in Canada’s decision.
“This dangerous precedent violates international solidarity, contradicts the principle of the rule of law and will have only one consequence: it will strengthen Moscow’s sense of impunity,” the statement said.
WATCH | Canada returns key turbine to Germany for Russian pipeline:
Ottawa’s plan to return Russian pipeline turbines to Germany is drawing mixed reactions
Ottawa drew both anger and relief that it decided to return six turbines used for the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, which links Germany and Russia.
The Conservative Party also criticized the move, calling on the government to replace Russian energy in Europe with Canadian resources.
“Instead of circumventing a global package of sanctions designed to punish Putin, the Liberal government should approve new LNG pipelines and terminals so that Canadian natural gas can displace Russian energy supplies in Europe,” said Conservative MPs Michael Chong, James Bexan and Pierre Paul-Huss said in a statement on Sunday.
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