Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said Canada’s decision to send repaired parts of a Russian gas pipeline back to Germany was difficult, but necessary.
She was speaking to reporters on a conference call after the conclusion of a G20 finance ministers meeting in Bali, Indonesia.
“It was a very difficult decision for Canada to make. I understand Ukraine’s concerns about this, but it was the right thing to do, she insisted. Canada is united and determined in its support of the Ukrainian people. We have provided $3.4 billion in financial and military aid. I am proud that Canada has been a leader in supporting Ukraine and in opposing [au président russe] Vladimir Poutine. »
But Canada alone cannot provide Ukraine with all the support it needs, she said, defending the importance of a united effort by the G7 and the transatlantic alliance.
Germany, she said, was very clear that the gas pipeline, from Russian state energy company Gazprom, could be an issue. Russia cut exports by 60% last month at its Nord Stream 1 pipeline, which serves northeastern Germany, citing technical problems with the turbines.
“We have heard very clearly from Germany that their ability to maintain their support could be threatened,” the minister said.
She also argued that the United States publicly supported the Canadian decision.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, for his part, called the move “absolutely unacceptable” earlier this week.
“The decision on the exception to the sanctions will be perceived in Moscow exclusively as a manifestation of weakness. That is their logic,” he said, adding that Russia will now try to limit or shut off gas supplies to Europe at the most critical time.
In Ottawa, opposition MPs on Friday demanded that Liberal ministers explain the controversial decision during a special meeting of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development next week.
The Liberals have allowed Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson to answer questions.
The Tories had called on Ms Freeland to appear, alleging she disagreed with the ruling and that the Liberals were trying to prevent her giving evidence ahead of her comments on Saturday.
The committee will also invite the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and the ambassadors of Ukraine, Germany and the European Union to Canada to testify.