Russia is struggling with fuel supplies following repeated Ukrainian drone attacks. As a result, Russian fishing vessels are bunkering fuel in Kirkenes. Ine Eriksen Søreide wants to put an end to that. We are living through a new Cold War.

Even during the Cold War, relations between Norway and Russia were not as cold as they are now. The authorities now want a complete freeze.

“We can confirm that the police have registered an increase since May in port calls by Russian vessels, which are also bunkering fuel in Kirkenes,” says Chief of Staff Tarjei Sirma-Tellefsen of the Finnmark Police District, speaking to iFinnmark.

Conservative Party (Høyre) parliamentary leader Ine Eriksen Søreide told Nettavisen that the government must address the matter.

“It is very serious that the fuel depot at the quay facilities in Kirkenes is running out of fuel, and that Russian fishing vessels are freely able to bunker fuel,” she said.

Ine Eriksen Søreide is supported by Guri Melby (Liberal Party (Venstre)) and Ingrid Liland (Green Party (Miljøpartiet De Grønne, MDG)). These are the most hawkish parties in the Storting.

However, the government rejects claims that Russian vessels have bunkered large quantities of fuel and says that the fuel shortage has now been resolved.

“The premises underlying the opposition’s criticism are incorrect. The actors who, over a short period of time, requested large quantities of fuel are Norwegian actors in whom we have confidence,” State Secretary Ragnhild Syrstad (Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet, Ap)) told Nettavisen. (NTB)