Norwegian Fuel Giant Halts US Military Sales After Heated Trump-Zelensky Disaster Meeting
Executive Summary
Norwegian fuel company Haltbakk Bunkers has announced an immediate ban on supplying fuel to US military forces in Norway, citing outrage over President Donald Trump’s heated exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House. The company’s owner, Gunnar Gran, stated that “not a liter of fuel” would be provided to US forces until Trump leaves office, citing moral objections to Trump’s handling of Ukraine.
Analysis
The fallout from the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting has sent shockwaves through transatlantic relations, with European leaders expressing concern over Trump’s perceived alignment with Russia. French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized continued European military and economic support for Ukraine, while EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen publicly reassured Zelenskyy of the bloc’s commitment to his country’s sovereignty.
The abrupt fuel embargo by Haltbakk Bunkers, though a private sector decision, underscores growing European discontent with Trump’s foreign policy stance. Norway, a NATO ally, has long been a key logistical hub for US military operations in the Arctic and North Atlantic. A disruption in fuel supplies could have operational consequences for US naval activity in the region, particularly given rising tensions with Russia.
The White House’s handling of Ukraine has also sparked concerns within Congress, with bipartisan calls for clarification on Trump’s approach to security assistance. Meanwhile, Russian officials have capitalized on the controversy, portraying the US-Ukraine rift as a sign of Western disunity.
This development highlights the deepening divide between the US and its European allies over support for Ukraine, with potential implications for NATO cohesion, military logistics, and ongoing diplomatic negotiations surrounding the war.
