Canadian lawmakers pass measure to hold more hearings on Gazprom turbine issue in Ukraine

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News/Sputnik – September 22, 2022) Canada’s House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee has passed an amendment to hold more hearings on developments in Ukraine and the sanctions waiver for Gazprom turbine engines serviced by Siemens Energy in Canada.

“Thus, the motion as amended would read as follows: that, in relation to the study of the export of Gazprom’s Russian turbines, the committee invite representatives of Siemens and the Canadian Gas Association to testify for two hours, invites (Canadian) Minister of Foreign Affairs to appear for two hours to provide a date on the issue of turbines and other developments related to Ukraine, and to ask staff to prepare a draft report on the committee’s study of Ukraine, including the lifting of sanctions (for turbines),” the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee said. Ali Ehsassi said during a meeting on Wednesday.

At the meeting, a few Canadian lawmakers expressed support for revoking the sanctions waiver that allowed the export of Gazprom turbines serviced at a Siemens plant in Canada.

Canadian lawmakers have also felt the need to be heard more about new developments related to Ukraine following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s mobilization announcement.

On Friday, Putin said Siemens Energy had confirmed the Nord Stream gas pipeline turbines were out of service. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak had previously accused the West on Sunday of blaming Europe’s gas cuts on Russia while being in complete violation of Nord Stream 1 maintenance agreements.

Canada agreed in July to release a Russian-owned gas turbine that had been stuck in Montreal during maintenance after a ban on exporting technology to Russia took effect. The turbine was shipped to its manufacturer Siemens in Germany, which Russia said was in breach of contract.

Russia cut gas supplies to the EU to 20% of Nord Stream capacity in July and shut it down completely this week to allow for repairs. Russian energy giant Gazprom said on Friday it would not resume gas exports due to an oil leak at a key turbine.