Russia summons Norwegian diplomat over seizure of research vessel

Russia’s Foreign Ministry summoned Norway’s chargé d’affaires in Moscow, Bjorn Svenungsen, on Tuesday and lodged a strong protest over what it called the continued seizure of Russian movable and immovable property at the request of Ukrainian companies, Anadolu Agency reported.

The ministry said the Russian research vessel “Professor Molchanov” remained detained at the port of Barentsburg in the Svalbard archipelago. A Norwegian court seized the vessel on Sept. 2 at the request of Ukraine’s state energy company “Naftogaz” and several Ukrainian enterprises.

According to the ministry, the District Court of North Troms and Senja rejected an appeal by the Russian state-owned Arktikugol Trust on Oct. 28, and further proceedings could take many months.

“A prolonged winter stay of a vessel not designed for such conditions, given the harsh Arctic climate and weather, could result in its breakdown and serious environmental consequences,” the ministry said.

Moscow urged Oslo to comply unconditionally with international law, including the provisions of the Svalbard Treaty, which guarantees citizens of signatory states freedom of access to the archipelago.

The ministry said the detention had significantly hindered access to Svalbard. It added that, after Norway’s restrictions on Russia led to the suspension of air links between Russia and the archipelago, the “Professor Molchanov” had been the only means of directly transporting Russian personnel and essential supplies there.

The ministry also said a Norwegian court seized five Russian properties in Oslo on Sept. 22. It urged Norway to comply with international law, including the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the 2004 UN Convention on Jurisdictional Immunities of States and Their Property.

“Russia’s Foreign Ministry and competent Russian agencies will continue efforts to secure the lifting of the seizures of Russian property,” it said.

Russia’s consul general in Svalbard is providing consular and other assistance to crew members aboard the vessel, the ministry added.