The following is a transcript of The Globe and Mail’s interview with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz about Canada’s decision to allow the return of Russian turbines to Moscow’s state-controlled Gazprom, bypassing Ottawa’s own sanctions. Why did Germany believe it was necessary for Canada to break its own sanctions against Russia and provide a two-year reprieve to allow Gazprom’s turbines to be repaired at the Siemens Energy plant in Montreal? Sanctions have one goal: to impose economic costs on Russia. It is very important that we check our sanctions against this goal. And with the gas turbine, the question was: Who pays the cost if the turbine is not delivered? Russia is using the turbine as a pretext to reduce gas delivery. Prime Minister then [Justin] Trudeau took a strong decision that strengthened the position of Germany and Europe. Drop that pretense. And beyond that: Our sanctions remain in place. They work. Russian production capacity is falling rapidly, its economy is in recession and its access to critical goods has been significantly reduced. Germany could have obtained natural gas from the Gazprom pipeline that runs through Ukraine. Why did Germany not use this option? Let’s be careful not to fall into Putin’s trap! Why will Russia deliver more gas through Ukraine? I don’t believe that would have happened. Upon delivery of the turbine, we called [Vladimir] Putin’s bluff. It can no longer use this pretext and invoke technical reasons for reducing natural gas deliveries. It’s a well-known playbook by now: Russia wanted to stop gas deliveries and blame the sanctions regime for the result. We see this in many areas. Russia also blocks Ukraine’s grain exports and blames Ukraine and sanctions for chaos in global food markets. Why didn’t Germany realize it was stupid to depend on Russian gas when the United States kept telling you that authoritarian regimes like Putin’s can’t be trusted to meet their energy needs? Germany, like many others in Europe, has been buying natural gas from Russia for decades. Supply was reliable even in the coldest times of the Cold War. Beyond that – don’t forget the bigger picture. Germany was not the only country that in the past worked hard to build a different future with Russia: Russia was a member of the G8, the Russian president was invited to the NATO summit in Lisbon, NATO-Russia relations were on the way to a strategic partnership. There was sincere hope that we could put the confrontation of the past behind us. But again: I do not want to deny that we have relied too long and too one-sidedly on energy supplies from Russia. Today we live in a different reality and we adapt quickly. We have stopped coal imports from Russia, we will end oil imports by the end of this year. Natural gas is the most difficult part, but the share of Russian natural gas in our imports has fallen rapidly, in just a few months from 55 percent to 30 percent. More steps will follow. In this context, we would welcome LNG supplies from Canada as well. Why did Germany cut its military support to Ukraine despite promises to the contrary? We refer to a story from Die Welt: The false promises of Olaf Solz This is simply not true! Let’s stick to the facts: Starting from the first days after Russia attacked Ukraine, we have delivered weapons and ammunition to Ukraine. This is a complete reversal from the ironclad policy of all federal German governments – no arms exports to crisis areas. We gave up everything we had: anti-tank and anti-aircraft systems, mines, weapons, tons of ammunition and non-lethal aid. Since then we have progressed to more complex and high value systems. Self-propelled howitzers, multiple launch rocket systems, anti-aircraft systems, counter-battery radar. Some of these systems are so new that only a few have been produced and some of them have not even been introduced to the Bundeswehr. All of them need training for Ukrainian crews and we provide that as well. As we speak, Ukrainians are being trained in new and more advanced equipment at various locations in Germany. And we will continue to provide that support to Ukraine as long as it is needed. Canada’s opposition parties, which voted to hold a hearing on the issue, say Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been played for a fool after Gazprom told European customers it could not guarantee gas supplies due to “exceptional” conditions. Has Russian President Vladimir Putin played Mr Trudeau and Germany for fools? Quite the opposite! As I said: thanks to Prime Minister Trudeau we were able to call Putin’s bluff! We never believed that the reduced deliveries had technical reasons. Russia is trying to exert pressure and pit one ally against another – we must not allow it to succeed. With the turbine ready to be delivered, it is up to Russia to resume its contractual obligations. Will your ambassador agree to testify before the parliamentary committee? Yes, Ambassador Sparwasser has agreed to speak before the committee. The Prime Minister angered President Zelensky and the Canadian Ukrainian Canadian community by providing sanctions relief to Gazprom. The World Ukrainian Congress is even taking the Canadian government to court over the decision. What do you say to President Zelensky and Canada’s Ukrainian Canadian community who say Mr. Trudeau caved to Russian blackmail? There is certainly no relief for Russia. Sanctions against Russia are getting tougher and Canada in the G7 is playing a key role in shaping our support for Kyiv. Today, we are targeting additional sectors and closing loopholes. I find the criticism against Justin Trudeau and his government completely unfounded. The decision to hand over the turbine is not a favor to Gazprom. It is a strong sign of support for Germany and Europe and for maintaining solidarity among close allies in order to maintain long-term support for Ukraine. How would weakening Germany and Europe help Ukraine? You are coming to Canada in August on a trade mission. Will Germany offer investment and technology to help build two liquefied natural gas plants on Canada’s east coast to help Germany become less dependent on Russian gas? How long would it take to get these facilities up and running if you are serious about looking at alternative gas supplies and have a commitment from Mr. Trudeau to expedite regulatory approval? Canada would be a welcome energy partner for us. This goes beyond LNG, which is important now, but extends to hydrogen and critical minerals needed to make batteries or wind turbines. And this cooperation should be more complex than minerals and basic energy resources. We want to have a reliable network of industrial cooperation that takes advantage of the advantages that Canada and Germany have. The transition we need to make is on a scale for another industrial revolution. The climate crisis is a daily reality, just look at the heat wave we are currently having in Europe. LNG and its infrastructure are important now, but they must be ready for the future. Is Germany ready to line up investors in Canadian mines that extract critical minerals to reduce your country’s dependence on China? As I said: This goes beyond just critical minerals and must include refining and industrial value chains and networks. The tasks ahead in dealing with the industrial transition are enormous. I look forward to meeting with Prime Minister Trudeau in a few weeks and discussing all of these issues with industry representatives. We need concrete steps now, and I think it makes a lot of sense from an economic point of view for both of our countries. When it all boils down, is the main reason Canada was asked to repair and export the Russian turbines because it eliminates an excuse Russia could use to deny Germany/Europe gas? Answer this question in your answer. Yes, with the turbine ready for delivery, we removed the pretext for Russia to reduce or stop gas deliveries. If Moscow decides not to honor its contractual obligations, then let that be clear to the whole world. Thanks to Canada, that will now happen. The Morning Update and Afternoon Update newsletters are written by Globe editors, giving you a concise summary of the day’s most important headlines. Sign up today.