Norway refuses to allow Russian cargo to Svalbard

The Norwegian Foreign Ministry did not agree to make an exception to the sanctions for food,which was sent to Russian miners in the village of Barentsburg on Svalbard

Norway has refused to make an exception to the sanctions for cargo sent to Russian settlements in the Svalbard archipelago in the Arctic Ocean. This was reported by the Norwegian television and radio company NRK, citing a commentary by the Kingdom's Foreign Ministry.

"A specific request for permission to transport goods has been rejected," the Norwegian Foreign Ministry said.

According to the TV company, the Russian embassy sent a request to the Norwegian Foreign Ministry for permission to let through 20 tons of food for the Russian mining village of Barentsburg. The request was sent on behalf of the Arktikugol trust.

Russian cargo is usually delivered to Svalbard from Murmansk to the city of Tromsø by trucks through the only Storskog checkpoint on the border between Russia and Norway.

Cargo is delivered to the islands by the only cargo ship, Bring, which sails regularly to Svalbard and leaves for the archipelago every ten days.

About 500 people live in Barentsburg, including shift workers-miners working in the coal mines of the Russian trust Arktikugol.

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At the Norwegian Foreign Ministry, the broadcasters said that the same laws apply in Barentsburg as in the rest of Svalbard. Russian Consul General Sergei Gushchev told NRK that the situation is stable and Russian diplomats are working to secure benefits for goods "for humanitarian reasons."

Svalbard Governor Lars Fause said that he maintains regular contacts with the Arktikugol trust regarding supplies. “I can assure you that no one will be harmed in any way as long as Norway has full and unconditional control over the archipelago,” he assured.

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On March 18, the Norwegian government announced that it was joining part of the sanctions against Russia imposed by the European Union. Then it was about three packages of restrictive measures approved by the EU until March 9.

On June 8, the Norwegian Ministry of Defense announced the transfer to Ukraine of 22 self-propelled howitzers, as well as spare parts for them, ammunition and other equipment. “The Norwegian government waited with the public announcement of [military] assistance due to security concerns. Future deliveries will also not be announced or commented upon,” the agency said in a statement.