Russia threatens retaliation over Norwegian fishing sanctions

Russia has announced that it is prepared to take retaliatory action against Norwegian vessels entering its economic zone if a resolution is not reached regarding restrictions imposed on Russian companies.

Vasily Sokolov, Deputy Head of the Federal Agency for Fishery (Rosrybolovstvo), told journalists during a press briefing that the Russian side will raise concerns over what it views as unlawful sanctions imposed by Norway.

Earlier, Norway introduced sanctions against Russian fishing companies Norebo and Murman Seafood, prohibiting them from operating in Norwegian waters.

Sokolov said: “We will raise the issue of illegal sanctions against Russian companies, which in fact violate Norway’s obligations under the agreements. We will talk with them. If it is not possible to find a mutually acceptable solution, then, most likely, we will introduce absolute retaliatory measures, not allowing entry into our economic zone.”

The Russian-Norwegian Fisheries Commission is scheduled to meet from December 8-12, where the parties will discuss the sanctions imposed on Russian companies. Russia plans to rely on intergovernmental agreements with Norway that have been in place since the 1970s.

Sokolov also acknowledged practical challenges, noting that “the number of our vessels in Norwegian waters is greater than the number of Norwegian vessels in our waters,” highlighting the potential scale of any retaliatory measures.

By Tamilla Hasanova