During German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s visit to Canada, the longest inaugural visit by a German head of government to date, Germany and Canada agreed on Monday, August 22, on closer cooperation in the energy sector and pledged more assistance to Ukraine in its confrontational Russian military invasion.

About the supply of raw materials instead of Russian

One of the main objectives of the three-day trip that Scholz is taking, accompanied by the Vice Chancellor and Minister of Economy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Robert Habeck (Robert Habeck) and a large delegation of representatives of the business community, is to significantly strengthen relations with Canada, to reach an agreement between the Federal Republic of Germany and Canada on the supply to carriers of energy and raw materials from Germany. At the same time, the main attention is paid to close cooperation in the field of production and transport of green hydrogen. In addition, the issue of Canada’s supply to Germany of liquefied natural gas (LNG) is being discussed, as well as minerals and metals such as nickel, cobalt, lithium and graphite.

As for LNG, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised that exports to the EU across the Atlantic would be explored. According to him, one of the problems associated with the supply of LNG is the insufficient level of investment in infrastructure. “However, we are looking at all options to help Germans and Europeans in the short term, as they will face a real problem next winter,” Trudeau said at a joint news conference with Scholz on Monday in Montreal. Russia must not use energy as a weapon, he added.

About support for Ukraine

Speaking at a briefing in Montreal on assistance to Ukraine, Scholz stressed that the post-war reconstruction of this country is “an important task in which the world community must determine the right course in a timely manner.” He stressed that the restoration of the country must be dealt with now, during the war. In addition, he said, securing the supply of weapons to eastern Ukraine remains an important task.

The German chancellor also thanked Canada for the decision to make an exception to sanctions and return the Nord Stream turbine to Europe after maintenance.

“It was an important decision. Because it exposed Putin’s (Russian President Vladimir. – Red.), aimed at dividing the allies in order to influence the provision of support to Ukraine. “Russia is not a reliable business partner,” continued the chancellor, noting that Moscow has reduced gas supplies throughout Europe, citing technical reasons. “That is why it is important, so that we do not fall into Putin’s trap, we stay together and united,” Scholz said.

From Montreal, Scholz and Habek are heading to Toronto for a German-Canadian business conference and then to Newfoundland to discuss the issue of green hydrogen supply.