Norway has confirmed that it will continue providing fuel to U.S. Navy ships, despite a threat from a private marine fuel supplier to boycott the U.S. in response to worsening U.S.-Ukraine relations.
“We have seen reports raising concerns about support for U.S. Navy vessels in Norway. This is not in line with the Norwegian government’s policy,” stated Norway’s Defense Minister Tore Sandvik on Sunday.
This statement came after Norwegian fuel supplier Haltbakk Bunkers publicly threatened to stop fueling U.S. Navy vessels following a tense exchange between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office. The company, in a now-deleted social media post, criticized the U.S. and pledged not to supply fuel to American ships. “Huge credit to the president of Ukraine for keeping calm even though the U.S. put on a backstabbing show. It made us sick… No Fuel to Americans!” the post read.
CEO Gunnar Gran later confirmed to a Norwegian outlet that the company had decided to stop providing fuel to the U.S. military, though he acknowledged that the action would have little effect, as the company does not have a formal contract with the U.S. government.
This move followed a heated confrontation in the Oval Office on Friday, during which Vice President JD Vance accused Zelenskyy of being disrespectful to Trump. Vance told the Ukrainian leader, “With respect, I think it’s disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office and litigate this in front of the American media.” The tension escalated when Zelenskyy suggested the U.S. would feel the impact of the war “in the future,” a statement that angered Trump.
“You don’t know that,” Trump responded sharply. “Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel. We’re trying to solve a problem.” The encounter raised concerns about the U.S.’s ongoing commitment to Ukraine’s war efforts and highlighted a strained relationship between the U.S. and some European allies.
