Copenhagen, Denmark – Environmental activists used kayaks and a boat on Monday to prevent a Russian oil tanker from unloading its cargo south of the Norwegian capital, accusing Norwegian companies of “financing the Russian war” in Ukraine.
Greenpeace said its members were chained to the Hong Kong-registered Ust Luga, leased by Russian oil company Novatek, when it reached its destination, a terminal near Toensberg owned by Exxon Esso’s subsidiary. The tanker truck carrying more than 105,000 tons of fuel had left St. Petersburg.
OLE BERG-RUSTEN / NTB / AFP / Getty
Esso spokeswoman Anne Fougner told the Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet that the oil had been bought before Russia invaded Ukraine. He added that Esso Norway “has no other contracts for the purchase of Russian products”.
“Oil is not just at the root of the climate crisis, but also of wars and conflicts. I am surprised that Norway is operating as a free port for Russian oil, which we know is funding Putin’s war, “Greenpeace Norway chief Frode Pleym told Reuters.
Several other activists were arrested by police before they could take part in the action, the Norwegian news agency NTB reported.
OLE BERG-RUSTEN / NTB / AFP / Getty
In March the US government ban imports of Russian oil in a measure aimed at the country’s vast energy sector, which accounts for more than half of Russia’s annual income.
Many European countries are much more dependent on Russia for oil and gas, making it difficult to reduce their imports quickly without damaging their own economies, but Esso Norway is in the middle. several that have stopped buying Russia’s oil products since President Vladimir launched his war on Ukraine.
The European Union has begun discussing broader sanctions on Russian oilincluding a possible boycott.
- In:
- Oil imports
- War
- Ukraine
- Norway
- Russia
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