Justin Trudeau has defended his government's decision to send turbines belonging to the Russian giant Gazprom back to Germany, ignoring the anger of Kyiv and the NATO sanctions imposed against Russia.

• Read also: Gazprom turbine: why Canada made the right decision

"Let's be clear with what is happening: Russia chooses to instrumentalize the energy policy as a way to continue its attack on Ukraine, but also to divide the Western allies between us, in addition to undermining public opinion by favor of support for Ukraine and against Russia,” Trudeau said during a press briefing on Tuesday.

Ottawa announced its decision last week, supported in its approach by the White House and the European Commission.

In contrast, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had strongly denounced Canada's decision.

“The decision on the exception to the sanctions will be perceived in Moscow exclusively as a sign of weakness. This is the logic of the Russian government,” he said in a video released last week.

Mr. Zelensky spoke with Mr. Trudeau last Sunday.

Germany, which has become almost dependent on Russian gas over the past decade, is currently struggling with an unstable energy supply. The government fears that the energy crisis will overflow into a social crisis.

Gazprom slashed gas exports to Europe by 60% last week, citing 'state of force majeure' due to lack of turbine, freeing it from obligations contractual.

Gazprom had entrusted Siemens with the repair of its turbines. These were repaired in the Montreal factory of the German group.

Justin Trudeau's former senior adviser, Gerald Butts, tweeted that the decision was "clearly" made by the "entire alliance", meaning NATO, not just not Canada in isolation.

Opposition parties in Ottawa have all made their opposition to the dismissal of the turbines known.