Norway has refused Moscow’s push to allow for the transit of goods to Russian settlements on Spitsbergen through the only known checkpoint on the Russian-Norwegian border. Moscow has now asked to review the existing sanction. This would call to exclude some restrictions so as not to disrupt food supplies. However, Norwegian authorities are refusing.

The Spitsbergen is a vast polar archipelago located in the Arctic Ocean. Hundreds, if not thousands, of Russian citizens live in this area. They work for mining companies and live in unbearable harsh conditions such as polar bears on the streets, piercing winds, and long polar nights.

In all honesty, the place is a bit odd legally. It is considered Norwegian territory, but under a treaty from 1920, other countries can mine the area. Russians are there to mine the coal available which they sell or sold to the EU countries. The outdated resource is the entire reason Russia is there anyway. Seems to me like a good time to close the mine and change the terms of the treaty.

Russia should be asked to begin an evacuation of the town. It is doubtful that any Russian settlers are starving, but there may be reasons that they are there and should be repatriated to Russia.

We all love a quick think piece, so do you believe that Oslo is in the right and Russia deserves to be punished for its aggression even if it means starving Russian settlers?