Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
BERLIN (AP) — The German government says it's discussing possible consequences after learning Russia diverted at least two German-produced gas turbines to Crimea, in violation of European Union sanctions.
Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert said Wednesday it was "totally unacceptable" the turbines ordered from Siemens were sent to Russian-occupied Crimea, also in violation of the contract with the Munich-based company.
He says the government was considering consequences once the matter was fully clarified.
He added "bringing the turbines to Crimea in violation of the contract despite high-level assurances is a particularly notable situation."
The EU allows the export of power generation equipment to Russia, but not to Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014.
Siemens on Monday said they had multiple written assurances that the turbines would not go to Crimea.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
