Norway seizes Russian vessel to enforce $4.22B Ukrainian arbitration claim

OSLO, Norway (AP) — Norwegian authorities seized a Russian vessel in the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard on Wednesday at the request of Ukraine’s Naftogaz as part of a global effort to enforce a $4.22 billion arbitration award.

Naftogaz is trying to recover the multibillion-dollar arbitration award stemming from Russia’s 2014 illegal annexation of Crimea and its seizure of Ukrainian energy assets, including gas fields and pipelines.

In 2023, an arbitration tribunal in The Hague ordered Russia to pay the $4.22 billion to the Ukrainian state-owned energy company for unlawfully seizing its assets in Crimea.

After Russia's refusal to pay the award, Naftogaz has been petitioning national courts seeking court orders to seize Russian commercial assets.

“This is another important step towards restoring justice for Russia’s unlawful seizure of Naftogaz assets in Crimea. Russia cannot evade responsibility simply by refusing to comply with an international arbitral award. We will continue to pursue Russian assets around the world,” said Naftogaz CEO Sergii Fedorenko.

Norway’s seizure of the Russian vessel, the Professor Molchanov, comes after a Nord-Troms district court order issued August 31, Svalbard Governor Lars Fause said in a statement.

Following the seizure, the vessel is not allowed to leave its current location in Barentsburg on Svalbard, the governor said.

The Russian vessel is used for commercial expedition cruises, including to Svalbard.

Russian President Vladimir Putin sits prior to the plenary session at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026. (Vyacheslav Prokofyev/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

FILE - Norway's, left, and NATO's flags are seen during a military exercise 'Iron Wolf 2025-I' at the Gaiziunai Training Area, Lithuania, on May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis, File)

ACCRA, Ghana (AP) — Carlos Queiroz is back as coach of Ghana less than two months after quitting the role following World Cup elimination in the last 32.

Queiroz held fresh talks with the Ghana Football Association and the country's Ministry of Sports and Recreation, after which the Portuguese coach was handed another contract in charge.

The GFA said in a statement late Wednesday that it “believes Queiroz's extensive international experience, technical expertise and knowledge of the Black Stars position him strongly to lead the team into this new chapter.”

The 73-year-old Queiroz, who has coached Portugal, Colombia, Iran and Egypt at international level and Real Madrid at club level, left as Ghana coach after a 1-0 loss to Colombia at the first knockout stage.

He said there was no “complete sporting satisfaction” but felt the team brought “respect and credibility to the Black Stars.”

Ghana was on a four-game losing run when Queiroz was appointed in April to replace the fired Otto Addo. The team drew against England in the World Cup group stage and progressed as one of the best third-place finishers despite a loss to Croatia in their final group game.

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FILE - Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz arrives before the World Cup round of 32 soccer match against Colombia in Kansas City, Mo., on July 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga, File)