Germany confirmed on Friday (8 July) that the government had received a positive signal from Canada regarding the delivery of a turbine needed to service the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline to Germany, but could not say the turbine had been delivered became.
Russia’s Gazprom reduced capacity along its Nord Stream 1 pipeline to just 40% of usual levels last month, citing the delayed return of a turbine serviced by Germany’s Siemens Energy in Canada.
A decision to return the turbine has already been made, a source familiar with the matter told R on Thursday.
The turbine would first be sent to Germany, which will then deliver it to Gazprom so Canada doesn’t violate sanctions, a government source told R.
Siemens Energy declined to comment on the news.
The Kremlin said on Friday it will increase gas supplies to Europe if the turbine is returned.
Ukraine opposes Canada’s handover of the turbine to Gazprom, and Kyiv believes such a move would flout sanctions against Russia, a Ukraine Ministry of Energy source said on Thursday.
The fate of the turbine has highlighted the unforeseen consequences of Western sanctions against Russia in response to its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
