Former general Hillier says Russia may take 'encouragement' from decision to return sanctioned turbines

Canada's former chief of the defence staff (CDS) Rick Hillier said Tuesday that Canada should not have agreed to returnsix turbines to Germany needed to keepRussian natural gas flowing into Europe a view his American colleaguesWesley Clark and David Petraeus do not share.

Hillier, a retired general who was CDS from2005 to 2008, said Russian President Vladimir Putin maysee the decisionas a "sign of encouragement" and a signal thatWestern sanctions in response toRussia's invasion of Ukraine willweaken going forward.

"This decision to send the turbines back would be seen in hindsight ... as the straw that broke the camel's back, and we may start to see a relenting of pressure from NATO, from the West in general," he said.

Russia says the turbines are needed to increase natural gas output on the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to northeastern Germany. They were in Montreal for repairs but the Canadian government has announced a temporary and revocable suspension of sanctions on Russia so that they can be sent back to Europe.

Federal government ministers have defended the decision, saying it was necessary to meetGermany's energy needs. Ukrainian President VolodymyrZelenskyyhas slammed the government over the move, warning Putin would see it as a sign of weakness.

At a news conference Tuesdayin Bowen Island, B.C., Prime Minister Justin Trudeau defended the decision by blaming Russia.

"Russia is choosing to weaponize energy policy as a way of continuing with its assault on Ukraine, but also as a way of dividing western allies amongst ourselves, as well as undermine public support for our strong stance in favour of Ukraine and against Russia," Trudeau said.

He said the tactic won't succeedandCanada and itsallies will remain united in opposing Russia.

"This decision was a difficult one, but it was the right one to ensure that we continue to all stand together against Putin's illegal war in support of Ukraine," Trudeau said.

Hillier said that after Russia invaded and annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in 2014, NATO allies failed to sustainsanctions pressure on Russia. He said he fears something similar will happen to the sanctions arrayed against Russia now.

"I worry that the turbine might be the decision that starts that occurring now," Hillier said.

Hillier made the comments at a news conference to discuss his new role as chair of the Strategic Advisory Council to the Ukrainian World Congress.

The council also includes two high-profile former U.S. generals Clark, a former supreme allied NATO commander in Europe, andPetraeus, who commanded American forces in Afghanistan and was briefly the director of the CIA. The councilwill advise the international Ukrainian advocacy organizationon procurement and delivery of military kit to the Ukrainian military.

Hillier said his position on the Canadian government's turbine decision is "a slight bitmore harsh" than thoseClark and Petraeusexpressed at the event.

NATO must preserve unity against Russia: ex-generals

Clark said the decision to return the turbines was an example of how sanctions on Russia need to be flexible.

"You have to have resilience, you have to bend but not break," Clark said. "It does require the art of diplomacy and compromise."

But Clarkcriticized the German government's decision to "cozy up" to Russia in the years preceding the war in Ukraine by buying Russian natural gas.

He addedthe debate over the turbine decision has distracted governments'attention away from what he says isa more important matter the waron the ground in Ukraine.

Petraeus agreedwith Clark. He said depriving Germany of energy would have threatened the cohesion of NATO's approach toRussia.

"I'm in broad agreement with Canada's decision. It was a very tough one," Petraeussaid.

"I think Canada weighed all of the options, the information, the pros and the cons, and ultimatelymade a decision that was in the best interest, really, of all involved."

Petraeuspointed with optimismto the broader trend of NATO expansion and of countries critically examining their economic relationships with Russia.

"I'm quite heartened that the directionforward is that of continuing to make these sanctions more difficult for Russia," he said.

"But there will have to be, from time to time ... prudent exceptions to the rule, because you could lose that unity that isso critical going forward."

Council will provide advice on equipment, fundraising

The retired generals said they will not be offering the Ukrainian militaryoperational counselin their new roles.

"We're not going to be providing advice to commanders on the ground on a day-to-day basis around strategy and tactics," Hillier said.

Instead, the council will focus on providing the Ukrainian World Congress with advice on purchasing equipment and delivering it to Ukraine'sTerritorial Defence Units. The generals also plan toassist the congresswith fundraising.

Hillier said the council'spriority is getting protective and medical equipment, like ballistic eyewear, protective vests and first aidkits, to members of Ukraine'smilitia. He estimates it will cost $2,500 to equip one personand said the council's goal is to equip 100,000 people.

Hillier, who recruited the other generals to the council, said he was inspired to take on the roleafter he visited Ukraine last month and heard aboutUkrainians going intobattle with civilian cars against Russian tanks and armoured vehicles.

"I'm convinced we can do much better, and at the very minimum, we can give them that protective equipment," he said.