OREANDA-NEWS  The Russian Foreign Ministry demanded that Norway unconditionally comply with international law, including the Svalbard Treaty, which provides for freedom of access for citizens to the archipelago.

The ministry noted that it is currently difficult due to the arrest of the Professor Molchanov vessel at the request of Ukrainian companies. The Foreign Ministry summoned Norway's Charge d'affaires, Bjorn Svenungsen, protesting strongly against the arrests of Russian property.

"The charge d'affaires was informed that prolonged winter parking of a watercraft unsuitable for this purpose, taking into account the severe climatic and weather conditions of the Arctic, is fraught with its failure and serious consequences for the environment," the Foreign Ministry added.

The research vessel was arrested on September 2 in the port of Barentsburg at the request of the Ukrainian Naftogaz. There was a creative expedition on board. Russian Ambassador Nikolai Korchunov said the lawyers would appeal the Norwegian court's decision. He also called on Oslo to fulfill its obligations under the Svalbard Treaty.

A week later, the office of the governor of Svalbard reported that 69 Russians from Professor Molchanov had returned to their homeland. At the end of October, the Norwegian court dismissed the appeal against the arrest of the vessel.

Vladimir Putin, speaking at the WEF plenary session, called the seizure of civilian vessels a manifestation of state terrorism.