Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke by phone with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Sunday, stressing that the international stance on sanctions against Russia should be based on "principles" and pressure on Moscow increased rather than eased.

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This is the first telephone conversation between the two leaders since the Canadian decision to allow the return to Europe of turbines intended for the Russian gas pipeline Nord Stream, which was strongly criticized by the Ukrainian president.

The latter had deemed it “unacceptable”.

After thanking Trudeau for the strong Canadian defense support, Zelensky said in a tweet that he "reiterated that the international position on sanctions must be principled."

He added that after the recent “terrorist attacks” in several Ukrainian localities, the pressure on Moscow “must be increased and not decreased”.

Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland defended the Canadian decision on Saturday, stressing that it was “the right decision”, even if it was “very difficult” to take.

Ottawa justifies its decision, which exempts these turbines repaired in Canada from the economic sanctions imposed on Russia, by the need not to compromise the energy supply of Europe and Germany in particular.

“The energy challenges facing Germany and our European partners are very real and Canada is aware of them,” Ms. Freeland added.