Norway has confirmed that it will continue supplying fuel to U.S. Navy ships, despite a private Norwegian fuel supplier, Haltbakk Bunkers, announcing a boycott in response to recent tensions between the U.S. and Ukraine. Haltbakk Bunkers supplied approximately 3,000,000 litres of fuel to the U.S. military in 2024.
Norwegian Defence Minister Tore Sandvik clarified on Sunday that the government’s policy remains unchanged, ensuring continued support for American naval forces.
We have seen reports raising concerns about support for the U.S. Navy vessels in Norway. This is not in line with the Norwegian government’s policy, Sandvik said in a statement.
American forces will continue to receive the supply and support they require from Norway.
The controversy began after Haltbakk Bunkers, a privately held marine fuel supplier, declared it would stop providing fuel to U.S. military vessels.
The company’s decision was in response to how Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was treated during his recent visit to the White House, where he had a tense exchange with U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
In a Facebook post, which has since been deleted, the company wrote:
Today we have witnessed the greatest 'sh*t show' ever presented live on television, by the current American president and his vice president. Huge credit to the president of Ukraine for restraining himself and for keeping calm even though the USA put on a backstabbing TV show. It made us sick…No fuel to Americans!
As a result, we have decided to immediately STOP as fuel provider to American forces in Norway and their ships calling Norwegian ports, they declared.
CEO Gunnar Gran later confirmed to Norwegian newspaper VG that the company had indeed decided to halt supplies to the U.S. military. However, he admitted that the impact would be “symbolic” since Haltbakk Bunkers does not have a fixed contract with the U.S. government.
Haltbakk Bunkers' owner, chairman, and CEO, Gunnar Gran, stood firm on the decision in an interview with Norwegian outlet Kystens.
As you probably understand, not a litre will be delivered until Trump is finished, Mr Gran said.
The company publicly appealed, "We encourage all Norwegians and Europeans to follow our example”.
The company did not respond to media inquiries for further comments.
The supplier’s decision came after a heated meeting in the Oval Office, where Trump and Zelensky engaged in a tense discussion regarding U.S. support for Ukraine.
Vice President JD Vance accused Zelensky of being “disrespectful” for pressing the U.S. on continued aid.
Mr. President, with respect, I think it’s disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media, Vance told Zelensky. He also criticised Ukraine for forcing conscripts into battle due to manpower shortages, adding, You should be thanking the president for bringing it into this country.
Trump also confronted Zelensky when the Ukrainian leader suggested that the war would impact the U.S. in the future, to which Trump responded “You don’t know that”. “Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel. We’re trying to solve a problem,” he added.
This lasted about ten minutes and led to the cancellation of a planned signing ceremony for a critical materials agreement and a scheduled news conference. Zelenskyy left the White House after the argument.
Despite the controversy and Haltbakk Bunkers’ boycott, Norway has distanced itself from the company’s stance. Defense Minister Sandvik stated that the Norwegian government’s policies remain unchanged and that it will continue to fulfill its commitments to the U.S. as a NATO ally.
Source: Marine Insight, NDTV World
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