Russian lawyers have begun preparing a lawsuit against Norway over the seizure of a Russian vessel in Spitsbergen, Russian Far East and Arctic Development Minister Alexey Chekunkov told reporters during the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF).

“I can confirm that legal action has been initiated. Lawyers from the Arktikugol enterprise and Russian lawyers, in coordination with the Russian embassy in Norway, are preparing to contest this unlawful arrest in a local court. I emphasize that this is based on a claim filed by the private Ukrainian company Naftogaz,” he noted.