U.S. State Department agrees with Canada’s decision to send repaired turbine equipment back to Germany
Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson says the decision was necessary to ensure Europe has immediate access to reliable, affordable energy.
The federal government has found a powerful supporter for its decision to allow a natural gas pipeline between Russia and Europe to resume operations.
The U.S. State Department says it backs Canada’s decision to send repaired turbine equipment vital to the Nord Stream 1 pipeline back to Germany.
Spokesman Ned Price says it’s the right decision because it will allow Europe to fortify its gas reserves in the short term.
Price says that will, in turn, help Germany and others increase their energy security in the name of ultimately countering Russia’s energy dominance in the region.
Ottawa’s decision has been roundly criticized by Ukraine, which calls it a “dangerous” exception to Canada’s sanctions against Russia.
Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson says the decision was necessary to ensure Europe has immediate access to reliable, affordable energy.
In prepared remarks at the St. John’s Board of Trade on Jul 11, Wilkinson said the energy security implications of volatility in the European market could be devastating.
“This is not just a matter of inconvenience, or even a crunch with respect to affordability and pocketbooks,” he said. “This is a fundamental threat to their ability to provide the basics for their citizens, from heat for their homes, to fuel to transport food and goods and power to sustain their industries, their jobs and their economies.”
“In the short term, the turbine will allow Germany and other European countries to replenish their gas reserves, increasing their energy security and resiliency and countering Russia’s efforts to weaponize energy,” Price said in a statement.
Wilkinson announced Jul. 9 that the turbines, which had been sent to Montreal for scheduled repairs by Siemens Canada, would be returned.
Back in June, Siemens said Canada’s sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine meant the company couldn’t return the turbines.
In a statement on Jul. 10, Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs Ministry and Energy Ministry expressed “deep disappointment” in Canada’s decision.
The same day Wilkinson announced the turbines would be returned, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly announced Canada planned to apply a new set of sanctions targeting Russia’s land and pipeline transportation and manufacturing sectors.
