Russian Foreign Ministry summons Norwegian Charge d'Affaires

The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the Norwegian Charge d'Affaires Solveig Rossebo, on Wednesday, in response to Oslo's refusal to allow Russian cargo into the Svalbard archipelago.

The ministry said in a statement that "on June 29, the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Norwegian Charge d'Affaires ad interim in Russia Solveig Rossebo, who was informed about the unacceptable situation around the delivery to Svalbard of goods intended to ensure the work of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise Arktikugol State Trust in the archipelago and blocked by the Norwegian side." 

Last April, Oslo imposed restrictions on goods supplies by Russian road transporters, effectively blocking items critical to the operation of the trust and the Russian Consulate General in Svalbard, most notably food, medical equipment, building materials, and vehicle spare parts, according to the ministry.

It is worth noting that Moscow demanded that the issue be resolved as soon as possible, while also warning that hostile actions against Russia would inevitably result in appropriate retaliation.

At the time, Russia has banned several parliamentarians, government members, and business, academic, and media representatives from Iceland, Norway, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands from entering the country, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

The steps were imposed in response to Iceland, Norway, and the Danish autonomies of Greenland and the Faroe Islands joining the European Union's anti-Russian sanctions, which include, among other things, personal restrictions on Russian officials.