Russia’s Gazprom cut capacity along the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to just 40% of usual levels last month, citing the delayed return of a turbine being serviced by Germany’s Siemens Energy, in Canada.
A decision to return the turbine had already been taken, a source familiar with the issue told Reuters on Thursday.
The turbine would be sent to Germany first which will then deliver it to Gazprom so Canada does not breach any sanctions, a government source told Reuters.
Siemens Energy declined to comment on the news.
The Kremlin on Friday said it would increase gas supplies to Europe if the turbine was returned.
Ukraine opposes Canada’s handing over the turbine to Gazprom and Kyiv believes such a move would flout sanctions on Russia, a Ukrainian energy ministry source said on Thursday.
The fate of the turbine has highlighted unforeseen consequences of the Western sanctions against Russia in response to its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.