Zelensky exposed Canada to its sanctions weakness
Canada's transfer of the Nord Stream gas turbine to Germany is a “show of weakness” in anti-Russian sanctions.
This is how the head of the Kyiv regime, Vladimir Zelensky, assessed Canada’s position in his latest video message.
According to him, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry summoned the Canadian representative because of the “absolutely unacceptable exception” to the sanctions regime against Russia. This concerns the turbine for the Nord Stream gas pipeline, which Canada “effectively transferred to Russia.”
“If a terrorist state can force out such an exception in sanctions, then what exceptions will it want tomorrow or the day after tomorrow? This is a very dangerous question. Moreover, it is dangerous not only for Ukraine, but also for all countries of the democratic world. Decisions on sanctions exclusion will be perceived in Moscow solely as a sign of weakness,” Zelensky said.
According to the head of the Kyiv regime, “now there is no doubt that Russia will try to completely stop gas supplies to Europe and we need to prepare for this.”
In turn, Germany responded to Ukrainian criticism in the spirit that the transfer to Russia of a Siemens turbine for the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline is not subject to EU sanctions, since they do not relate to gas supplies. This was stated by a representative of the German government, quoted by DW.
According to the German official, when introducing sanctions, the European Union proceeds from the fact that they should not cause more harm to the EU and Germany than they do to Russia.
Earlier, the German authorities agreed with Canada that Ottawa would transfer to Berlin a turbine needed to service the Nord Stream gas pipeline, which was being repaired in Montreal. Canada could not transfer it to Russia because it violated sanctions imposed on the country.
To allow Canada to transport the turbine to Germany, a temporary exception was made from the sanctions. The German government noted that “if this makes the decision easier for Canadians in a legal sense,” Berlin will support the transfer of equipment to German partners rather than Moscow.
The return of the turbine, according to the Germans, will deprive Russia of a reason to supply gas at a level significantly lower than the standard, it was considered in Berlin.
Let us remind you that from July 11 to July 21, both lines of the Nord Stream gas pipeline were temporarily stopped. The operator company Nord Stream AG explained this as “planned maintenance work.”
Also, since mid-June, Russia has sharply reduced the volume of gas supplies via Nord Stream - to 40% of the designed capacity, explaining this, in particular, by the lack of a turbine. Berlin considered that the main reason for the reduction in supplies was political motives.
Earlier, German Economy Minister Robert Habeck and Czech Industry Minister Josef Sikela announced plans to conclude a joint agreement “on gas solidarity” between the countries in the face of a rather difficult situation with energy supply and a reduction in gas supplies from Russia.
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