Norwegian authorities seized a Russian vessel in Svalbard on Wednesday at Ukraine’s request, part of efforts to enforce a $4.22 billion arbitration award. This award arises from Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the seizure of Ukrainian energy assets.
After an arbitration tribunal in The Hague ordered Russia to pay Naftogaz, the company has sought court orders to seize Russian assets due to Russia’s refusal to comply.
“This is another important step towards restoring justice for Russia’s unlawful seizure of Naftogaz assets in Crimea. Russia cannot evade responsibility simply by refusing to comply with an international arbitral award. We will continue to pursue Russian assets around the world,” stated Naftogaz CEO Sergii Fedorenko.
Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the seizure, labelling it “state terrorism,” and criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy‘s warnings to airlines about flying over Russia. Putin claimed these incidents complicated peace talks and accused Ukraine’s allies of being “complicit in international terrorism.”
Russia’s ambassador to Norway called the seizure a “politically motivated violation of international law” and stated that the decision would be appealed. The vessel, the Professor Molchanov, is restricted from leaving Barentsburg in Svalbard and is used for commercial expedition cruises, including trips to the archipelago.
This article used information from The Associated Press.
