An arbitration court in The Hague ruled in April 2023 that Russia must pay Naftogaz $4.22 billion (about 27 billion Danish kroner) plus interest and legal costs for assets seized in Crimea. ^[1] Norwegian authorities seized a Russian vessel at the Svalbard archipelago. ^[2] Russian President Vladimir Putin stated at the Eastern Economic Forum that there is a possibility of terminating the war in Ukraine if Moscow and Kyiv first reach a common agreement. ^[3] A Norwegian court ordered the seizure of the vessel as part of efforts by the Ukrainian state energy company Naftogaz to recover a 2023 arbitration award of $4.22 billion. ^[4] According to Naftogaz, a Norwegian court decided on 31 August to seize the Russian vessel 'Professor Molchanov' and ordered that the ship must not leave its current position, with Norwegian authorities handling the crew on board. ^[5] Naftogaz, Ukraine's state-owned oil and gas company, requested Norwegian authorities to seize the Russian vessel and announced the seizure on its website. ^[6] The same statement said the seizure is an interim measure to enforce an arbitral award concerning Naftogaz assets in Crimea. ^[7] The statement also said the vessel is prohibited from leaving its current location pending a decision by the governor of Svalbard. ^[8] Putin noted that communication channels with the Ukrainian side remain active, primarily through intelligence services, but criticized Kyiv for actions he characterized as state-sponsored terrorism. ^[9] Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the seizure of the ship, comparing the action to state terrorism. ^[10] The legal dispute originates from Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the subsequent seizure of Ukrainian energy assets, including gas fields and pipelines. ^[11] The Professor Molchanov, a Russian research vessel, has operated regular cargo and passenger services to Svalbard since June 2025. ^[12]