Svalbard, between the north coast of Norway and the North Pole, is part of Norway, but Russia has the right to exploit the natural resources of the archipelago under a treaty signed in 1920, and some settlements are inhabited mainly by Russians. Norway, which is not in the EU but imposes EU sanctions on Russia, has said the sanctions will not affect the transport of goods by ship to Svalbard. However, much of the cargo for Russian settlements in the archipelago first passes through a checkpoint in mainland Norway, which is closed to goods subject to sanctions. The Russian Foreign Ministry said it had summoned Norway’s plenipotentiary to protest the restrictions, which it said had prevented the delivery of critical supplies, including food and medical equipment. Describing the situation as “unacceptable”, he warned that “unfriendly” actions against Russia would lead to “retaliation”. The Norwegian Foreign Ministry was not immediately available for comment when contacted by Reuters. Since invading Ukraine in February, Russia has been hit with sanctions restricting the transit of its goods through Europe. This month, Lithuania began imposing restrictions on certain goods shipped by rail to Russia’s Kaliningrad pocket in the Baltic Sea. Russia, which calls its actions in Ukraine a “special military operation,” says the restrictions amount to a “blockade” and has promised indefinite retaliation. (Report by Reuters; Edited by Peter Graff)
