kyiv seeks to derail return of crucial gas turbine to Russia – media – RT Russia and the former Soviet Union
Ottawa reportedly plans to return a German turbine to a Russian gas transfer station, Reuters and a Ukrainian news site reported
The Ukrainian government is pressuring Canada not to return a gas turbine to Russia in a bid to boost Germany’s supply of Russian fuel, Reuters and a Ukrainian news site reported separately. . kyiv argues that the precedent would erode anti-Russian sanctions.
Russian gas monopoly Gazprom has cut throughput on the Nord Stream gas pipeline to 40% capacity after reporting that Germany failed to return a key piece of Siemens Energy equipment after maintenance. The turbine remained stuck in Canada, where it was serviced, due to Ottawa’s restrictions against Russia.
According to Ukrainian government sources quoted by Reuters and Ukrainian news site Evropeyskaya Pravda on Thursday and Friday, kyiv has been informed that Canada has decided to return the turbine. Ukrainian officials argued that was a bad decision.
“If, God forbid, this decision is approved, we will no doubt appeal to our European colleagues to have their approach reassessed,” a source from Ukraine’s energy ministry was quoted by Reuters. “Because if countries do not follow the decisions they have agreed on sanctions, how can we speak of solidarity?”
Both outlets said Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko pressured Canada not to return the turbine, saying Russia could increase gas supplies to Germany if it really wanted it. The Ukrainian newspaper reported that the minister sent a two-page letter to his Canadian counterpart, Jonathan Wilkinson, on June 22, in which he explained that more Russian gas could be pumped through Ukraine.
kyiv fears that by bowing to what it sees as Russian energy blackmail, Canada could set a bad precedent for the Western sanctions regime.
Germany has activated the second phase of its emergency gas plan after Russia cut supplies via Nord Stream. Berlin reportedly asked Ottawa to return the turbine before the start of scheduled 10-day maintenance on the pipeline next week.
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