Canada will return to Germany a refurbished Russian Siemens turbine for the Nord Stream gas pipeline. This was stated by the Minister of Natural Resources of Canada, Jonathan Wilkinson.
Previously, Canada refused to return the turbine due to sanctions on Russian gas equipment. However, she has now said she will support "Europe's ability to access reliable and affordable energy sources as they continue to transition away from Russian oil and gas":
“Without the necessary supplies of natural gas, the German economy will face very serious difficulties, and the Germans themselves risk being unable to heat their homes when winter sets in,” Wilkinson said.
Simultaneously with the decision to return the turbine, Canada announced that it was expanding anti-Russian sanctions related to the energy sector. They will apply to land and pipeline transport, the production of metals and transport, computer, electronic and electrical equipment, as well as machinery.
Due to the delay in the return of the turbine from repairs in June, Gazprom reduced the capacity of the Nord Stream from Russia to Europe to 40% of the usual level. According to Reuters sources, the turbine will first be sent to Germany, and then transferred to Gazprom.
Oleksandra Khychiy, President of the Canadian Congress of Ukrainians, sent a letter to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asking him not to return the turbine. In her opinion, "Russia seeks to create a precedent for lifting sanctions, which will then be used to obtain new sanctions relief and undermine the unity of the West." She stated that the Ukrainian community in Canada was "deeply disappointed by the Canadian government's decision to succumb to Russian blackmail."