Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky today as relations between the two countries have strained due to Canada's controversial decision to send repaired parts of the Russian natural gas pipeline to Germany.

Earlier this month, Canada approved the issuance of a sanction exemption against Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine.

The two-year exemption will allow six Siemens energy turbines, which were in Montreal for repairs, to be sent back to Germany for use in the Russia state-owned Nord Stream 1 pipeline.

Trudeau defended the decision and explained that Canada's German ally relies on natural gas supplies from the pipeline, but in a written and video statement last week, Zelensky described the move as "completely unacceptable."

Ottawa branch had planned a protest urging the government to cancel the exemption.

The group says Canada succumbed to Russian blackmail and set a dangerous precedent that will weaken the sanctions regime imposed on Russia.