Western experts criticize Oslo for enriching the country in the Ukrainian conflict. About this on Saturday, October 8, wrote the American columnist Emily Rauhala in The Washington Post.
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As the author notes, Norway began to play an important role in energy security issues in Europe after the region took a course to abandon Russia’s energy resources. At the same time, Oslo is facing criticism for its “indecent” income from oil and gas amid the conflict over Ukraine.
The country is reported to receive about $109 billion from the oil sector this year, up $82 billion from last year. Most of this money will go to the country’s National Wealth Fund, which is estimated at $1 trillion.
The Norwegian authorities deny allegations of speculation and say that the high price of fuel is due to its shortage in the market. Oslo emphasizes that the country supports anti-Russian sanctions and provides military assistance to Ukraine.
Earlier, on September 14, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said that Norway had refused to reduce the price of gas for the European Union. Støre noted that high gas prices are not a goal for Norway, as they lead to an increase in the cost of electricity in the south of the country and inconvenience to trading partners.
On October 6, the EU published a new package of anti-Russian sanctions. These include economic measures and personal restrictions. In particular, it provides for a ban on the sea transportation of Russian oil to third countries at a cost higher than the established price ceiling.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, commenting on the idea of the West to limit prices for Russian energy resources, said that the Russian Federation would not supply anything abroad if this would be contrary to its own interests. The head of state stressed that in the event of restrictions on energy prices from the Russian Federation, the West would face a complete halt in supplies from the country.
Western countries have stepped up sanctions pressure on Moscow against the backdrop of a special operation to protect Donbass, the beginning of which the President of the Russian Federation announced on February 24. However, this has already turned into economic problems in Europe, causing a sharp rise in fuel and food prices.