Canada sent a turbine for the Russian-German Nord Stream gas pipeline to Germany by air on July 17 after undergoing repair work, Kommersant newspaper reported on Monday, citing people with knowledge of the situation.
It will take another five to seven days for the turbine to reach Russia, if there are no other issues with logistics and customs, the newspaper said.
Kremlin-controlled Gazprom has said several times in recent days that it cannot guarantee the safe operation of a critical section of the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline because of doubts about the return of the turbine.
It is recalled that the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, through which Germany and by extension central Europe is supplied with natural gas, was closed for 11 days of maintenance work on July 11.
Goldman Sachs had estimated that the most likely scenario is that the pipeline will remain closed even after the maintenance is completed. In such an eventuality, the natural gas market is not expected to return to normal and the turmoil is predicted to continue, with Goldman Sachs predicting prices well above €150/MWh.
Zelensky “sang” to Trudeau
However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau yesterday Sunday, in a telephone conversation they had, that the Ukrainians will never accept Canada’s decision to return turbines to Germany “in violation of sanctions” against Russia.
It was the first communication between the two leaders since Canada’s decision last week to allow the return of repaired turbines destined for Russia’s Nord Stream gas pipeline.
Zelensky strongly criticized this decision, calling it “unacceptable”. “It’s a matter of compliance with sanctions. If there is a violation now, it won’t be long before there are more,” the Ukrainian president said, accusing Russia of gas blackmail and pointing out that there are alternatives for Russian gas to reach Europe . He added that the international community must intensify the pressure on Moscow and not relax it.
Volodymyr Zelensky did not fail to thank Justin Trudeau for Canada’s significant support to Ukraine in defense matters.
Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who has Ukrainian roots, defended Canada’s position on Saturday, saying it was the “right decision” even if it was “very difficult.”
Ottawa has justified its decision to exempt turbines repaired in Canada from the sanctions imposed on Russia, underlining the need not to jeopardize the energy supply of Europe and Germany in particular.
For his part, Trudeau “affirmed Canada’s continued support for Ukraine amid the Russian military offensive,” according to a statement from his office that did not mention the turbines.
The Canadian prime minister also stressed in his communication with President Zelensky the importance of maintaining a climate of unity among allies and continuing strong economic pressure on Russia for its “illegal and unjustified invasion of Ukraine”, hailing the Ukrainians for their courage their.
Demonstrations against the shipment of turbines to Europe took place yesterday Sunday in Ottawa and Montreal. In Quebec, dozens of people gathered in a downtown square, holding Ukrainian flags and placards reading “Russian gas money is killing Ukrainians” and “Keep the sanctions.” There is a large Ukrainian community in Canada.
Source: Capital
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