Gazprom ( GAZP.MM ) cut capacity along the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to just 40 percent of usual levels last month, citing the late return of equipment served by Germany’s Siemens Energy ( ENR1n.DE ), ( SIEGn.DE ) in Canada . “The sanctions prohibit the transportation of any equipment related to natural gas,” the energy ministry source said. Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register “If, God forbid, this decision is passed, we will no doubt appeal to our European colleagues that their approach needs to be reassessed. Because if countries do not follow the decisions they have agreed on sanctions, how can we talk about solidarity?” Natural Resources Canada did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Germany’s economy and foreign ministries were not immediately available for comment. A senior energy ministry source told Reuters that Ukraine had information that Canada was preparing to hand over the turbine. The decision to return the turbine had already been made, a source familiar with the matter said, adding that Canada and Germany did not want the turbine to be an excuse for Russia to cut gas supplies through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline. Ukraine’s energy minister German Galushchenko in June lobbied Canada not to return the turbine to the Russian gas giant, according to a letter seen by Reuters. The minister argued in the letter that Russia still had more than enough capacity through transit routes to maintain supply without the turbine located in Canada. “There are seven turbines, this is only one of them, and the ones operating now are sufficient for full capacity,” the energy ministry source said. Ukraine has accused Moscow of using gas supplies as a weapon to pressure Kiev’s European allies to reduce their support for Ukraine as it fends off Russia’s February 24 invasion. Canada’s large Ukrainian community has also lobbied Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government not to return the turbine to Russia. read more Kyiv has repeatedly called for more sanctions. “If the decision is made by the Canadians to hand over the turbine, regardless of whether it is to Gazprom or to Germany to hand it over … that would be a precedent for two G7 countries to circumvent the sanctions imposed against Russia.” the energy ministry source said. Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register Reporting by Sergiy Karazy and Max Hunder in Kyiv Additional reporting by Steve Scherer in Ottawa and Andreas Rinke and Riham Alkousaa in Berlin Writing by Tom Balmforth Editing by Matthew Lewis Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
