Belgium, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) Canada has sent the repaired Nord Stream 1 gas turbine to Germany on Sunday, according to Russian daily Kommersant.
German Siemens industry group completed repair work on the turbine and sent it to be installed in the pipeline, according to sources familiar with the matter, Reuters reports Monday.
The turbine has come into spotlight in the last month or so, with Russia stressing that gas flow through the Nord Stream 1 is down because planned annual maintenance of the pipeline cannot be completed without the turbine.
Planned maintenance is due to be completed on 21 July, with Kommersant pointing out that it will take five to seven days for the repaired turbine to reach Russia if no problems arise with customs and logistics.
The turbine is to be sent from Germany to Russia via Helsinki and is expected to arrive at Portovaya compressor station on July 24, after which it will take three to four days to complete the installation.
Russian energy giant Gazprom noted on Saturday that it expects Siemens to meet its obligations and stressed that servicing gas turbines is necessary for Nord Stream 1 to operate reliably.
Ukraine against the move
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted on Sunday that he criticised Canada’s decision to return the gas turbine to Russia in a conversation with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
In a video address on Sunday, Zelenskyy stressed that Ukrainians would never accept the decision and added that the move encourages more violations of sanctions.
Pointing out that he thanked Trudeau for his support, Zelenskyy noted “I stressed separately that Ukrainians will never accept Canada’s decision” and noted that sending the repaired turbine to Germany violates sanctions against Russia.
He reiterated earlier remarks by Ukrainian officials, warning that Russia was using natural gas supply to blackmail the EU. “If there is one violation now, it is only a matter of time before there will be others,” Zelenskyy concluded.
Speaking on Wednesday, Trudeau stated that allowing the return of the turbine needed for the operation of Nord Stream 1 was a “very difficult decision” as it presents an exemption from sanctions.
