US backs Canada’s decision to return Nord Stream 1 turbine to Germany

Washington [US], July 11 (ANI): The United States welcomes Canada’s decision to return the Nord Stream 1 turbine which remained stranded in Montreal because of Russia-related sanctions to Germany, the State Department said on Monday.
“The United States is united with our Allies and partners in our commitment to promoting European energy security, reducing our collective dependence on Russian energy, and maintaining pressure on the Kremlin. In that vein, we support the Canadian government’s decision to return a natural-gas turbine to Germany for use in the Nord Stream 1 pipeline,” State Department spokesperson Ned Price said
“In the short term, the turbine will allow Germany and other European countries to replenish their gas reserves, increasing their energy security and resiliency and countering Russia’s efforts to weaponise energy,” he added.

In early June, it was announced that the turbine sent by Siemens to its factory in Montreal, on behalf of Gazprom, for maintenance, was unable to make it back to Russia because of sanctions imposed by the West over the conflict in Ukraine.
Active negotiations have been ongoing since then between Ottawa and Berlin, with the Ukrainian government repeatedly asking Canada to not hand the turbine as it would be a violation of sanctions.
“We are working with our allies and partners to reduce our collective dependence on Russian energy and maintain pressure on President Putin, including exploring ways to further reduce Russia’s energy-derived revenues to continue curtailing Russia’s ability to fund its brutal, ongoing war in Ukraine. At the same time, we are taking active steps to limit the impact of President Putin’s war on global energy markets and protect our economies,” Price said.
The State Department spokesperson said the US is grateful for the partnership with Canada and Germany and their solidarity in defence of Ukraine in the wake of Russia’s “unprovoked and unjustifiable war” against its sovereign neighbour and the significant sanctions they have each put in place to hold the Kremlin accountable.
“The United States and our Allies and partners are committed to supporting Ukraine and ensuring the Russian government feels the compounding effects of our economic restrictions and robust sanctions,” he added. (ANI)