Canada’s exception for Gazprom sets a bad precedent – Operator of Ukraine’s natural gas transmission system
EUROPEAN PRAVDA — SUNDAY, 10 JULY 2022, 15:18
Serhii Makohon, General Director of GTS operator of Ukraine LLC, stated that Canada’s decision to return the turbine to Gazprom – an exception to sanctions against Russia – sets a bad precedent.
According to European Pravda, Makohon wrote about it on his Facebook page on Sunday.
Makohon noted that the logic of Ottawa’s decision was clear. After the return of the turbine, Gazprom is expected to fully resume gas transit to Germany. This will allow Europe to continue accumulating gas for the winter and should lead to a decrease in gas prices, which have already reached the level of between 1,800 and 1,900 USD per thousand cubic metres.
"But I believe that even after the return of the turbine, Gazprom will find a reason to further reduce supplies to the EU. Because even without this turbine, Gazprom has the opportunity to significantly increase transit", Makohon said.
He explained that the routes through Poland and Ukraine are currently completely unused.
"Therefore, there are no problems with free gas transit capacities to the EU. Gazprom only wants to continue blackmailing Europe. I am confident that Europe will draw conclusions from this situation and will in the near future stop buying Russian gas altogether", Makohon added.
The Canadian government previously said it would make an exception to sanctions against Russia and send the turbine, which underwent maintenance in Canada, back to Germany.
Originally built in Canada by Siemens, the turbine was sent to Montreal for repairs, where it got "stuck" because of sanctions against Russia.
German officials urged Canada to find a way to return the turbine, fearing that Russia would use the issue as an excuse to shut down Nord Stream 1 and curtail Germany’s ability to fill its gas storage tanks before winter.
The Ukrainian government spoke out against Canada’s intentions to permit this targeted waiver of sanctions against Russia, and considers this decision "unjustified and dangerous for the sanctions regime".
Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Jolie insisted on Saturday that Canada firmly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and announced new sanctions against Russia’s energy sector.
