Norway intends to ban the entry of cars with Russian license plates

The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is preparing new rules that will restrict the entry and use of cars with Russian license plates in the country, said Secretary of State Eivind Vad Petersson.

“Like Finland, Norway will introduce restrictions on the import and use in Norway of cars registered in Russia. We are now looking at how to do this and will quickly return with effective measures,” leads his words NRK.

As the publication notes, Norway has banned the import of Russian cars, but the temporary use of cars with Russian license plates is still permitted.

Previously, all five EU countries bordering Russia (Poland, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) introduced a ban on the entry of cars registered in Russia.

The introduction of official bans on the entry of Russian cars began after the EC clarified the rules for applying existing sanctions on September 8, stating that entry into EU countries with personal cars registered in Russia will be regarded as prohibited imports. This applies even when they are used for personal purposes and not for commercial purposes. Exceptions are made for EU citizens and their immediate families.

On September 12, the EC added that Russians’ cars could be used to evade sanctions, which explains the increased attention to them, but stressed that personal care products and clothing are of “non-significant concern from a sanctions evasion perspective” and therefore national authorities should continue to enforce the ban “in a proportionate and reasonable manner.”

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, such restrictions reflect the EU’s desire to erect a new “iron curtain” in Europe. The EC, with its clarifications, believes the Russian Foreign Ministry, deliberately introduces legal uncertainty and provokes EU countries to increase discrimination against Russians on the basis of nationality. The Foreign Ministry also called on Russians to carefully weigh all risks when planning trips abroad.