🕒 Created · Updated

Norway Seizes Russian Vessel Professor Molchanov to Recover Ukrainian Compensation

Norwegian authorities seized the Russian state-owned vessel Professor Molchanov at the port of Barentsburg in the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard. The action was taken at the request of Ukraine's state energy company, Naftogaz, to recover a $4.22 billion arbitration award for energy assets Russia illegally seized following the 2014 annexation of Crimea. Following a court order from the Nord-Troms and Senja District Court, the vessel is currently restricted from leaving its location. Naftogaz CEO Sergii Fedorenko stated that the seizure is an important step toward restoring justice, noting that Russia cannot evade responsibility by refusing to comply with the international arbitral award. Russia reacted with criticism, with President Vladimir Putin describing the seizure as state terrorism. The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Norway's ambassador, Heidi Olufsen, to lodge a protest, while Russian officials described the seizure as a politically motivated violation of international law. Norway's Foreign Ministry stated that the seizure does not mean abandoning its responsibilities toward the civilians living in Svalbard, and that Russian companies are regularly granted exemptions from sanctions to ensure essential goods reach the settlements.

Sources

Paywall and unreadable sources