Zelenskyy says Moscow will see Canada's decision to return turbines as 'weakness'

Ukrainian PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyyis blastingthe Canadian government over itsdecisionto return to Germany natural gas turbines caught up in sanctions imposed on Russia,calling the move"absolutely unacceptable" and warning thatMoscowwillsee itas a sign of weakness.

Natural Resources Minister Jonathan WilkinsonannouncedSaturdaythat the turbines will be making their way back to Germany after the Canadian government allowed what he called a "time-limited and revocable"exemption to its current sanctionson Russia.The move came as Canada imposed new sanctions on Russian agents and entitiesin response to its invasion of Ukraine.

But Zelenskyywasn't pleased with the decision.

"If a terrorist state can squeeze out such an exception to sanctions, what exceptions will it want tomorrow or the day after tomorrow? This question is very dangerous," Zelenskyy said inhis nightly address on Monday.

"Moreover, it is dangerous not only for Ukraine, but also for all countries of the democratic world."

Zelenskyy called on the Canadian government to reverse the decision.

"Of course, this decision on one turbine, which leads to many other problems, can still be revised," he said."Russia has never played by the rules in the energy sector and it will not play now unless it sees strength."

In an interview with CBC's Power & Politics,Ukraine's Ambassador to CanadaYulia KovalivsaidUkraine will continue to discuss the issue with theCanadian government in the coming weeks.

WATCH|Canada setting a 'dangerous precedent' by releasing turbines: Ukraine

Canada setting a 'dangerous precedent' by releasing turbines: Ukraine

2 years ago

Duration 6:12

"This is a very dangerous precedent," says Ukrainian Ambassador Yulia Kovaliv of the Canadian government's decision to release Russian turbines back to Germany. "Russians are just blackmailing Europe."

"We do appreciate a lot of support that the Canadian government provided to Ukraine in different spheres, and we still hope that this decision will be revoked," she told guest host Paul Hunter.

Kovaliv said revenuefrom the pipeline will contribute to the bloodshed in Ukraine.

"Russia is using energy as a weapon, in Europe and all over the world," Kovalev said.

"This money and fuel are going to support the war in Ukraine ... we need to hold united, all together, to maintain this unity in the sanctions and not waver in them."

Natural Resources Minister defends decision

Wilkinson says the decision was necessaryand thatGerman livelihoods are at risk.

In prepared remarks before a news conference in Regina on Monday, Wilkinson said Russia'swar on Ukraine and the resulting geopolitical tensions have shown how vulnerable Europe is on the energy front.

"The energy security implications for Europe in particular are potentially devastating," Wilkinson said.

"This is not just a matter of inconvenience, or even a crunch with respect to affordability and pocketbooks. This is a fundamental threat to their ability to provide the basics for their citizens, from heat for their homes, to fuel to transport food and goods and power to sustain their industries, their jobs and their economies."

In astatement issued on Twitter on Saturday, Wilkinson said the decision to return the turbines came after consultationswith the German government and other European allies.

"Absent a supply of natural gas, the Germany economy will suffer very significant hardship and Germans themselves will be at risk of being unable to heat their homes as winter approaches," he said in the statement.

The turbines have been in Montreal for repairs, but Siemens the German company that manufactured them said last month that Canadian government sanctions on Russian energy company Gazprom prevented it from returning them to Europe.

The Nord Stream Onepipeline supplies natural gas to Germany from Russia. The Russian government says the pipeline is running at just 40 per cent of its capacity right now.

Wilkinson said Monday that Canada is working to find ways to supply Canadian liquid natural gas and other commodities such as hydrogen, potash and uraniumto Europe.

He said Canada can balance boosting energy exports to Europe and meeting greenhouse gas emissions targets.

"Wecanhelp our European friends in the short-term and wecanachieve our ambitious and vital climate goals," he said.

Reaction to move mixed

The United States government welcomed Canada's decision to release the turbines to Germany.

"In the short term, the turbine will allow Germany and other European countries to replenish their gas reserves, increasing their energy security and resiliencyand countering Russia's efforts to weaponize energy,"United States State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a media statementMonday.

But a Ukrainian-Canadianadvocacy groupvoiced opposition.

AlexandraChyczij, president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, saidreturningthe turbines amounts to a "decision to bow to Russian blackmail."

"This decision will ensure that the coffers of the Russian state budget will continue to be filled with European money which will be used to finance Russia's genocide against theUkrainianpeople," Chyczij said in a media statement Sunday.

In anothermedia statement, also issued Sunday, Ukraine's foreign affairs and energy ministriesexpressed "deep disappointment" in Canada's decision.

"This dangerous precedent violates international solidarity, goes against the principle of the rule of law and will have only one consequence: it will strengthen Moscow's sense of impunity," said the statement.

WATCH | Ukraine says Canada's return of turbines will be seen as a weakness by Russia:

Ukraine says Canada returning turbines to Russia unacceptable

2 years ago

Duration 1:52

Ukraine is calling on Canada to reverse its unacceptable decision to repair and return Russian turbines, but Canadian officials say the move is an attempt to help get oil to Germany.

The Conservative Party also criticized the move, calling on the government to replace Russian energy in Europe with Canadian resources.

"Instead of circumventing the global sanctions package meant to punish Putin, the Liberal government should approve new pipelines and liquid natural gas terminals so that Canadian natural gas can displace Russian energy supplies in Europe," Conservative MPs Michael Chong, James Bexan and Pierre Paul-Hussaid in a statement Sunday.