Sen. Mike Lee urges U.S. exit from NATO after Norwegian fuel company refuses to refuel American ships over Ukraine dispute
By isabelle // 2025-03-03
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  • Sen. Mike Lee calls for U.S. withdrawal from NATO after a Norwegian fuel company, Haltbakk Bunkers, stops refueling U.S. military ships in protest of U.S. treatment of Ukraine’s Zelensky.
  • Haltbakk Bunkers accused the U.S. of staging a “backstabbing TV show” during Zelensky’s White House visit, sparking criticism and debate over transatlantic alliances.
  • The controversy stems from a contentious White House meeting where Trump and Vance criticized Zelensky, leading to a failed minerals deal and heightened tensions.
  • Critics highlight European hypocrisy, as many nations continue relying on Russian energy while the U.S. shoulders most of Ukraine’s military and financial support.
  • The incident reignites debates over America’s NATO role, with some U.S. lawmakers expressing frustration over European ingratitude and lack of shared defense commitment.
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) has called for the U.S. to withdraw from NATO after a Norwegian fuel company, Haltbakk Bunkers, announced it would no longer refuel American military ships. The company cited its disapproval of the U.S.’s treatment of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a contentious White House meeting last week. The move has drawn sharp criticism from U.S. officials and raised questions about the reliability of European partners in the face of global security challenges. The controversy began when Haltbakk Bunkers, a privately held Norwegian fuel supplier, posted a now-deleted statement on Facebook declaring it would stop providing fuel to U.S. Navy vessels in Norway. The company accused the U.S. of staging a “backstabbing TV show” during Zelensky’s visit to the White House and encouraged other European nations to follow its lead. “No Fuel to Americans!” the company wrote, adding, “Huge credit to the president of Ukraine for restraining himself and keeping calm.”

A symbolic gesture or a dangerous precedent?

Haltbakk Bunkers CEO Gunnar Gran defended the decision, calling the White House meeting “the biggest circus of lies ever shown live” and claiming the move was a symbolic protest in solidarity with Ukraine. However, the company’s stance has been widely criticized as misguided and counterproductive. The U.S. has been one of Ukraine’s most steadfast supporters, providing billions in military aid and equipment since Russia’s invasion in 2022. Sen. Mike Lee responded to the news with a blunt post on X: “Europe doesn’t love us. Let’s leave NATO.” His comments reflect growing frustration among some U.S. lawmakers over what they see as Europe’s lack of gratitude and commitment to shared defense responsibilities. While Norway’s government quickly distanced itself from Haltbakk Bunkers’ decision, reaffirming its commitment to supporting U.S. forces, the incident has reignited debates about America’s role in NATO and its relationship with European allies.

Zelensky’s White House visit sparks backlash

The controversy stems from a heated Oval Office meeting between President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. During the meeting, Trump and Vance criticized Zelensky for what they described as his ungrateful attitude toward U.S. support. Trump pointed out that the U.S. has provided Ukraine with $350 billion in aid and military equipment, stating, “If you didn’t have our military equipment, this war would’ve been over in two weeks.” Zelensky, however, dismissed Vance’s call for diplomacy, questioning, “What kind of diplomacy?” and accusing previous U.S. and European administrations of failing to stop Russian aggression. Vance fired back, calling Zelensky’s behavior “disrespectful” and urging him to thank Trump for his efforts to broker peace. The meeting ended abruptly, with Zelensky leaving the White House without signing a planned minerals deal.

Europe’s hypocrisy exposed

While European leaders rushed to express solidarity with Ukraine following the meeting, critics have pointed out the hypocrisy of their actions. Many European nations continue to rely on Russian energy exports, indirectly funding the very regime they claim to oppose. Meanwhile, the U.S. has shouldered the bulk of the financial and military burden in supporting Ukraine’s defense. Haltbakk Bunkers’ decision to cut off fuel to U.S. ships is a stark reminder of the fragile nature of transatlantic alliances. While the company’s move may be largely symbolic—it does not have a fixed contract with the U.S. military—it underscores the need for a reevaluation of America’s role in NATO. As Sen. Lee’s call for withdrawal suggests, the U.S. cannot continue to bear the brunt of Europe’s defense while facing criticism and ingratitude from its allies. Sources for this article include: Breitbart.com Reuters.com Independent.co.uk
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