Norway affirms continued support for US Navy amid fuel supply boycott

Norway's Defense Minister Tore Sandvik affirmed the country's commitment to supporting U.S. Navy vessels despite a private fuel supplier, Haltbakk Bunkers, announcing it would cease refueling American ships. This decision by Haltbakk was a reaction to perceived disrespect toward Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a recent meeting with U.S. officials, which the company deemed 'unacceptable.' Sandvik emphasized that the Norwegian government’s policy is to continue providing necessary support to American forces, reaffirming close defense cooperation between Norway and the U.S. Haltbakk Bunkers' CEO, Gunnar Gran, indicated that their decision would have only a symbolic impact, as there was no fixed contract with the U.S. military. The situation highlights the complexities of international relations amid ongoing tensions surrounding the Ukraine crisis.