Trudeau: Gas turbine return to Germany ‘removed’ excuses for Putin

Canada’s decision last month to return a turbine required for the maintenance of gas pipeline Nord Stream 1 to Germany was taken to expose Russia’s strategy of weaponising energy policy, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said after meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

In early June, Ottawa relented to pressure from Berlin and allowed the turbine that had been in Montreal for repair works to be sent back to Germany, which would, in turn, deliver it to Russia. The Kremlin said it would increase gas supplies to Europe if the turbine was returned.

The decision, which entailed exempting Siemens Canada from Russia sanctions, was harshly criticised by Ukraine for undermining action against Moscow.

“What we were able to show by returning the turbine is that the only entity responsible for the challenges in terms of the energy crisis the world is facing is Vladimir Putin himself,” Trudeau said during a joint press conference with Scholz in Montreal on Monday.

He added the “difficult decision” to return the turbine “removed the excuse” from the Kremlin for cutting gas exports and countered Russia’s attempts to create division among supporters of Ukraine and “blame anyone else – like Canada” for not delivering on its gas contracts.

Scholz, for his part, was eager to express his gratitude towards his “Canadian friends.”

“This was an important decision, as it unmasked Putin’s strategy of dividing allies and impeding support to Ukraine,” he said.

The German chancellor also pointed out that – contrary to the Kremlin’s earlier assurances – gas deliveries via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline have been slowed despite the returned turbine.

“Russia is no longer a reliable business partner,” he stressed, adding the “technical reasons” cited by Moscow for decreasing deliveries had “never existed.”