Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday accused Canada of delaying the return of a German turbine from the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline repaired on Canadian territory to try to sell its own hydrocarbons on the European market.
The fate of this Siemens machine sowed uncertainty about the future of supplies from Russia. This equipment is presented by Moscow as essential for the smooth operation of the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline, which supplies Germany and Europe with Russian gas.
Canada returned the equipment to Germany after hesitating over sanctions imposed on Moscow by the Russian offensive in Ukraine. For Moscow, the delivery date remains unknown.
“One device had to be repaired. Canada did not return it because of economic sanctions against Gazprom, although the repair was carried out at a Siemens plant,” Putin told the TASS news agency.
“I will tell you why Canada did this. It is because it also produces oil and gas and plans to enter the European market,” the Russian president added.
The Nord Stream pipeline is currently closed for a tenday maintenance scheduled to conclude on Thursday (21st).
However, European countries fear that Moscow is clinging to a technical reason to prevent its supplies from resuming, putting pressure on them in the context of the conflict with Ukraine.
Before the shutdown of Nord Stream 1, Russia has significantly reduced its gas supply in recent weeks, justified by the lack of Siemens turbines.
On Wednesday, Germany called the dispute an “excuse,” while the European Union accused Moscow of using the gas “as a weapon.”