Russia warns Norway of Arctic conflict

Sputnik – Moscow believes that the Norwegian government’s blocking of supplies to miners is “unacceptable”.

Moscow summoned Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Solveig Rossibo to explain the “unacceptable” ban on delivering supplies to Russia’s Arctic mining operation.

The project, operating in the Svalbard archipelago, could not receive “vital” goods, including food, medical equipment, building materials and spare parts.

The Russian Foreign Ministry promised “appropriate retaliatory measures” if the problem was not resolved.

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The blockade has left miners working in Barentsburg without food, in what Russia has called a human rights violation.

Moscow also protested that such behavior violated the Treaty of Svalbard, signed in 1920, which established Norwegian rule over the islands, but also the right of the signatories, including Russia, to exploit their resources.

In late April, the Norwegian government announced that it would ban ground transportation for Russian operators from May 7 and close its ports to Russian ships.

However, the archipelago has escaped sanctions due to the Treaty of Svalbard, which was also signed by the United States, United Kingdom, France and Denmark, among other countries.

In recent months, the Kremlin has shown a keen interest in exploring the region’s rich Arctic deposits, which worries countries such as the United States and Canada.

This month, Moscow also accused Lithuania of violating international law by suspending the transit of sanctioned goods through the Kaliningrad region.

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