Siemens turbines in Montreal: Ottawa authorizes circumvention of Russian sanctions

Ottawa has granted Siemens a “revocable and time-limited permit” to return to Germany turbines from Russia’s Nordstream 1 gas pipeline, which has been stalled in Montreal because of sanctions against Russia.

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Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said the decision came after several discussions with Ukraine, Germany and the European Commission, as well as the International Energy Agency.

“Following these conversations, Canada will grant Siemens Canada a revocable, time-limited permit to allow the repaired Nordstream 1 turbines to return to Germany, supporting Europe’s ability to obtain energy that is reliable. and affordable as it continues its transition away from Russian oil and gas,” he said on Saturday. said in a statement.

“Without the necessary supply of natural gas, the German economy will face significant difficulties and Germans may not be able to heat their homes as winter approaches,” he said.

According to the minister, Vladimir Putin’s government is exploiting “the instability they have created to justify further destabilization of European energy security”.

Recall that Germany demanded the return of these turbines after Russian gas group Gazprom’s justification was that work on the Russian plant had reduced its gas deliveries.

However, Ukraine urged Canada not to go ahead with the decision.

At the same time, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly announced that Canada would impose new sanctions on the oil, gas, chemicals and manufacturing sectors.

“The new restrictions apply to land and pipeline transport as well as metals and transport, computer, electronic and electrical equipment and machinery manufacturing,” it said.

Minister Wilkinson recalled that since 2014, more than 1,600 Russian individuals and entities have received sanctions from Canada.