Maria Zakharova called the arrest of the Russian ship "Professor Molchanov" piracy
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The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova described the arrest of the research vessel "Professor Molchanov" by Norway as piracy and a violation of the 1920 Spitsbergen Treaty, impeding the supply of Russian villages on the archipelago.
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Why It Matters
The ship "Professor Molchanov" is used to supply Russian villages on the Spitsbergen archipelago. Norway has seized the ship, which Russia considers a violation of the 1920 Spitsbergen Treaty.
The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, called Norway’s arrest of the Russian research vessel Professor Molchanov piracy. She stated this during a briefing, a Lenta.ru correspondent reports.
“The decision to arrest the vessel has been appealed in court. Consideration of the issue on its merits is expected approximately in October-November, and we count on a speedy resolution of this situation, ensuring the unhindered return of the Russian vessel to Russia,” the diplomat said.
Zakharova emphasized that the ship “Professor Molchanov” is the only means of providing Russian villages on Spitsbergen with everything they need.
“Thus, the seizure of a Russian ship is nothing more than another attempt to limit our presence on the archipelago, preventing Russia from exercising its legal rights, and a violation of Norway’s obligations under the 1920 Spitsbergen Treaty, and in total, simply called another manifestation of piracy,” she added.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The trial on the merits will take place in October-November.
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What are the legal grounds for the arrest of a ship by Norway?
