The EU imposed sanctions against officials of the Ministry of Energy and partners of Siemens

In connection with the supply of Siemens turbines to the annexed Crimea, the European Union included in the sanctions list of two officials of the Ministry of Energy, the head of the daughter of the State Corporation Rostec and Russian companies - partners of the German concern. This was reported on the website of the EU Council.

The restrictions were introduced against the Deputy Minister of Energy of Andrei Cherezov, the head of the Department of Operational Management and Control in the Electric power industry of the Ministry Evgenia Grabchak and the director of Technopromexport LLC, the subsidiary of Rostec, which was directly involved in the purchase and transportation of turbines, Sergei Topora Gilka. The EU Council believes that Cherezov and Grabchak supervised energy projects in Crimea.

Among the legal entities, the sanctions fell OJSC "Technopromesport" and the LLC of the same name. The first company bought turbines from Siemens, and the second was engaged in transporting them to Crimea and currently owns the units. The sanctions were also imposed against “intrautomatics” - a joint German -Russian enterprise, more than 45 percent of the shares of which belonged to Siemens before the scandal with turbines.

The EU Council’s statement emphasizes that the creation of the energy system independently independent of mainland Ukraine "undermines the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine."

The Russian Foreign Ministry called the sanctions "an unfriendly and unreasonable step." "Responsibility for this decision, including possible economic costs of Siemens and other German, as well as European companies working in Russia, completely and completely falls on the side of the EU and the German government," the diplomatic department noted. "The reasons for the introduction of a new portion of restricted measures in relation to our country are considered absolutely far -fetched and reserve the right to response." The ministry considers the situation around Siemens turbines "the usual commercial dispute of business entities."

On July 26, the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the EU Member countries agreed on new restrictions due to the scandal with Siemens.

Germany proposed to expand sanctions against Russia due to the supply of turbines to Crimea on July 24. Three days before, Berlin threatened Moscow with a deterioration in relations due to violation of the sanctions regime against Crimea.

On July 6, it became known that two of the four turbines for the production of Siemens - Technologies for Gas Turbine - a joint venture of Siemens and the St. Petersburg company Power Machines - which, according to the contract, were to be installed at the power plant under construction in Taman, arrived in Sevastopol . Siemens assured that "they would take operational measures to prevent illegal use of equipment." In particular, the concern promised not to participate in the installation of turbines and not to provide their warranty service.

On July 10, Siemens stated that they did not give consent to the supply of turbines for an annexed peninsula, and the company "Technopromesport", which has concluded a contract, has repeatedly confirmed in writing in Crimea that the equipment would not get to Crimea. The concern said that he would hold the counterparty accountable.

The next day, Siemens filed a lawsuit in the Moscow Arbitration Court of the Technopromesport and Siemensu - Gas Turbine Technologies.

Then the German ambassador to Russia Rydigiger von Frich said that the circumstances of the supply that violate the EU sanctions should not be investigated by German, but the Russian authorities. “If what happened is true, then Siemens was seriously deceived, and this was a violation of the contract, a serious undermining of confidence and a very strong blow to investment in Russia,” the diplomat noted.

On July 13, Reuters reported that on a ship moored in the port of Feodosia, four cylindrical objects covered with tarpaulin were discovered. In shape and size, these objects several meters long correspond to Siemens turbines , the photos of which are published in the public domain, and generators to them - generators are supplied with turbines.

On July 21, Siemens confirmed that all four turbines were delivered to the annexed Crimea, according to the contract intended for the Taman power plant. In this regard, the concern announced that Interewomatics was leaving the capital of the joint venture . The share of Siemens in this enterprise is 45.72 percent. It was "Interewomatics", said in the concern, reconstructed turbines in order to hide their origin, to circumvent the ban on the supply of equipment to the Crimea.

In addition, Siemens announced the cessation of the supply of generating equipment to Russian firms controlled by the state. At the same time, the German company emphasized that we are not talking about leaving the Russian market.