Norway To Keep Supplying Fuel To U.S. Navy Ships Despite Supplier’s Ban

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.

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. He assured that “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 Zelenskyy 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: “Huge credit to the president of Ukraine for restraining himself and keeping calm even though the USA put on a backstabbing TV show. It made us sick…No fuel to Americans!”

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.

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 Zelenskyy engaged in a tense discussion regarding U.S. support for Ukraine.

Vice President JD Vance accused Zelenskyy 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 Zelenskyy. 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 Zelenskyy 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.

References: Reuters, AA

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