The Norwegian authorities have detained a Russian-flagged vessel this Wednesday after the Ukrainian state oil and gas company Naftogaz requested its seizure and in compliance with an order issued by a Norwegian court. The measure is part of the company's strategy to collect part of the more than 3.6 billion euros set by an arbitration court in The Hague as compensation for Naftogaz's assets in Crimea, expropriated after the Russian annexation of this peninsula, recognized 'de iure' as Ukrainian territory.
"The Svalbard Police have received an order from the District Court of Nord-Troms and Senja to stop and seize the vessel 'Professor Molchanov'. Today they have detained the vessel in Barentsburg," declared the head of operations of the archipelago's Police, Hakon Finstad, to the Norwegian newspaper 'Aftenposten'.
The operation has also been ratified by the governor of Svalbard, Lars Fause. "The District Court ordered that the vessel dock at a location determined by the governor, and it has been decided that it will remain docked in Barentsburg until the governor or the District Court decides otherwise," he indicated in statements to the state broadcaster NRK.
The political official emphasized that the institutions of Svalbard will provide "assistance to those affected by this detention." "We will also facilitate the return of the crew and passengers to Russia," he added.
At the same time, he made it clear that his intention is to "address this matter locally, through cooperation, dialogue, and discussion with the authorities of Barentsburg." "As for foreign policy, I refer to Oslo," he noted, thus referring to the central Norwegian Government.
He also explained that he has already "dialogued with the authorities of Barentsburg, explained the reason and the steps to follow." "If they wish to challenge that decision, they must do so before the District Court of Nord-Troms and Senja," he noted in reference to the second most populated settlement of the archipelago, where the majority of the population is of Russian nationality.
Although Svalbard is part of Norway, Moscow retains the right to exploit natural resources in the area by virtue of a treaty signed in 1920, which also justifies its diplomatic presence in Barentsburg. The 'Professor Molchanov' —related to the Shirshov Oceanographic Institute, sanctioned by the United States and Ukraine— has been conducting research on the seabed around the islands in search of minerals for years, as detailed by NRK.
Naftogaz insists on pursuing Russian assets to enforce the award
Naftogaz has also commented on the seizure, emphasizing in a statement that the action has been carried out "at the request of the Naftogaz Group," and has expressed its gratitude "to the Norwegian authorities for their cooperation in holding the Russian Federation accountable."
The Ukrainian energy company has described the decision of the Norwegian authorities "as part of global efforts to enforce the arbitral award obtained by Naftogaz and other companies of the Group against the Russian Federation for the illegal expropriation of their assets in Crimea, territory that Russia illegally annexed in 2014."
In the text, the company recalls the amounts of the award, "which amount to approximately 4.220 billion dollars (more than 3.640 billion euros), plus interest and costs," and has valued the seizure as "another important step to restore justice."
"Russia cannot evade its responsibility simply by refusing to comply with an international arbitral award. We will continue to pursue Russian assets worldwide until the compensation awarded to Naftogaz and other companies of the Naftogaz Group is paid," stated the interim CEO of the group, Sergi Fedorenko.