Russian intelligence agencies
are covertly funding and working with European environmental groups to campaign against fracking and maintain EU dependence on Russian gas, the head of Nato has
claimed.
Answering questions after a
speech in London, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Nato secretary-general,
said improving European energy security was of the “utmost importance” and
accused Moscow of “blackmail” in its dealings with Europe.
“I have met allies who can
report that Russia, as part of their sophisticated information and
disinformation operations, engaged actively with so-called non-governmental
organisations – environmental organisations working against shale gas – to
maintain European dependence on imported Russian gas,” Mr Rasmussen, former
Danish prime minister, told an audience at Chatham House, the international
affairs think-tank.
His remarks followed a
wide-ranging speech on Nato’s mission and purpose after Russia’s takeover of
the Crimea earlier this year, and an explosion of jihadist
violence in the Middle East.
Mr Rasmussen did not detail
the nature of his suspicions about Russian involvement with environmental groups.
The 28-nation EU bloc depends
on Russia for about a third of its oil and gas needs but has significant shale
gas reserves that could permanently curb its high dependence on imports.
A Nato official, speaking on
condition of anonymity, told the Financial Times that the alliance believed
Russia was engaged in “a campaign of disinformation on many issues, including
energy”.
“The potential for Russia
using energy supplies as a means of putting pressure on European nations is a matter
of concern. No country should use supply and pricing terms as tools of
coercion,” they said. “We share a concern by some allies that Russia could try
to obstruct possible projects on shale gas exploration in Europe in order to
maintain Europe’s reliance on Russian gas.”
Some experts have speculated
that one of Russia’s motivations in fomenting separatism in eastern Ukraine is
to stymie efforts to develop the region’s shale gas reserves.
Royal Dutch Shell last year struck a
production-sharing agreement to develop the Yuzuvska field, which spans 8,000
square kilometres in and around Donetsk.
Denis Pushilin, one of the most prominent
leaders of the separatist Donetsk People’s Republic, was previously best known
for organising sparsely attended rallies against shale gas exploration in
Donetsk. In May, Mr Pushilin said the Donetsk People’s Republic had banned the
extraction of shale gas in territory it controlled in eastern Ukraine.
