The Government of Norway has announced that it will follow the EU in closing its borders and ports to all Russian transports, except for fishing vessels.
The decision will come into force on 7 May, when Norway will impose the ban on the transport of goods previously listed by the EU’s fifth sanctions package.
The sanctions will not affect fishing vessels, which mainly land their catches in the northern ports – including Svalbard. The northern Norwegian archipelago operates under a treaty allowing it to proceed activities unhindered.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anniken Huitfeldt, and Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, Bjørnar Skjæran, announced the decision on 29 April.
“Sanctions are our main means of pressure against the Russian regime,” said Anniken Huitfeldt.
“It is crucial here that we stand with the EU and other countries to continue to weaken Russia’s ability to finance the war in Ukraine”.
Last week, US President Joe Biden banned all Russian-affiliated vessels from accessing the country’s ports.
