Moscow handed over a note to Oslo with a request to lift the ban on cargo transit to Spitsbergen.
Consul General of Russia in Spitsbergen Sergey Gushchin said on the air of "Russia 24" that the Russian Embassy in Oslo handed over to the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs an appeal of the "Arktikugol" trust with a request to lift the ban on the transit of goods to the villages in the Spitsbergen archipelago. Along with the letter, a corresponding note was handed over to the Foreign Ministry, he added.
Earlier it was reported that there are two Russian containers at the border. One of them contains 7 tons of foodstuffs, and the other - miscellaneous goods for ships and motor vehicles.
Gushchin explained that the request of the Russian side is under consideration in the Norwegian Foreign Ministry. He added that he hoped for its positive consideration, as it is required for humanitarian purposes to ensure a stable situation in Russian settlements.