MFA: Canada's decision to return turbine for Nord Stream will strengthen Russia's sense of impunity

Ukraine’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Energy express their deep disappointment in connection with the Canadian government’s decision to issue a permit for the return of a repaired turbine to Germany that is needed for the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline.

This is said in a relevant statement released by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Ukrinform reports.

The Ministry stressed in its statement that on the day this decision was announced, the Russian army shelled residential areas in Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, Kryvyi Rih, as well as a number of other settlements in the Zaporizhzhia region. "The Russian Federation acted as a terrorist state, deliberately hitting houses and other objects of civilian infrastructure. Civilians were killed, dozens were injured," the Ministry emphasized.

It is noted that the international community, including Canada and Germany, has already imposed a variety of sanctions against Russia to stop its war against Ukraine. The Ukrainian government is grateful for these decisive actions.

"At the same time, the latest Canadian-German agreement and the decision announced on its basis is the adjustment of the sanctions regime to Russia's whims. This dangerous precedent goes against the principle of the rule of law and will have only one consequence - it will strengthen Moscow's sense of impunity," the diplomats pointed out.

 According to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Russia can continue to supply gas to Germany in full without the turbine, which has become the subject of discussion.

As reported, Canada decided to return to Germany a gas turbine repaired in Canada by Siemens Energy AG, which was used in the Nord Stream pipeline system. The decision was made despite objections from the government of Ukraine and the large Ukrainian diaspora in Canada, who stressed that returning the turbine would undermine the sanctions regime.

Canada's Minister of Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson said on Saturday that the temporary export permit was granted after lengthy discussions with European allies, as well as the International Energy Agency.

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