Putin's web of influence - The Nord Stream trap | DW Documentary

Key Concepts

• Annexation of Crimea
• Hybrid Warfare
• Catalan Independence Movement
• Russian Interference
• Nord Stream 2
• Energy Dependence
• Geopolitical Influence
• Sanctions Evasion
• Climate Foundation (as a front)

Catalan Independence and Russian Interference

• Context: Following the annexation of Crimea in 2014, Putin aimed to destabilize the West, particularly the EU, through a "secret war."
• Catalan Separatists: In 2017, the Kremlin saw the Catalan independence movement as an opportunity to sow discord within NATO member Spain.
• Victor Terodas' Role: Victor Terodas, a key figure in the Catalan Independence Movement, sought international allies for Catalonia's independence.
• Seeking Russian Support: Terodas contacted Sergey Marov, a close advisor to Putin, proposing recognition of Crimea as part of Russia in exchange for Kremlin support for Catalan independence.
• Marov's Response: Marov claims the Kremlin officially rejected the deal, maintaining a stance of non-interference.
• Evidence of Contact: Journalist Jesus Albbalat uncovered messages on Terodas' phone indicating contact with Nikolai Sadovnikov, a retired Russian diplomat linked to Kremlin's parallel diplomacy.
• Russian Offer of Military Aid: Sadovnikov, along with a former Russian general, offered Catalan President Carles Puigdemont 10,000 soldiers and economic aid to support a coup d'état.
• Puigdemont's Rejection: Puigdemont rejected the offer, preferring a peaceful approach to independence.
• Continued Russian Interest: Despite the rejection, Josep Lluís Alay, Puigdemont's chief of staff, made three trips to Russia in 2019 to promote Catalonia's independence.
• Alay's Communication: Alay's messages revealed a desire to please the Russians and encourage their renewed involvement in the independence movement.
• Puigdemont's Denial and Admission: Initially denying any contact with Russian representatives, Puigdemont later admitted to a visit from a Russian envoy during the 2017 referendum.
• Legal Consequences: The Russian conspiracy led to criminal investigations in Spain, but no trials or convictions.
• Long-Term Implications: The Kremlin may find Catalan nationalism interesting again if the movement gains enough strength to question Spain's stability and unity.

Nord Stream 2 and German Energy Dependence

• Strategic Context: Putin engaged in a long-term energy policy to infiltrate Germany, Europe's largest economy, through the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project.
• Nord Stream 2 Project: The pipeline was designed to bring Russian natural gas directly to Europe, bypassing Ukraine and potentially undermining its economy.
• Hannes Damm's Investigation: Hannes Damm, a member of the state parliament of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, investigated the project, suspecting Russian manipulation and local mismanagement.
• Information Obstruction: Damm faced difficulties accessing information, with redacted documents and removed files.
• US Opposition: The US, under both the Obama and Trump administrations, opposed Nord Stream 2, warning of Germany's increasing dependence on Russian gas.
• Angela Merkel's Energy Policy: Angela Merkel's energy policies, particularly the decision to phase out nuclear energy, increased Germany's reliance on Russian gas.
• US Sanctions: In 2019, the US imposed sanctions on companies involved in the construction of Nord Stream 2, halting the project.
• Impact on Sassnitz: The sanctions had a significant impact on the port city of Sassnitz, which was preparing for the arrival of the pipeline.
• Russian Response: Russia took matters into its own hands, with Matias Warnig, managing director of Nord Stream 2, meeting with State Premier Manuela Schwesig to find ways to circumvent the sanctions.
• Matias Warnig's Background: Matias Warnig, a former Stasi informant with close ties to Putin, was instrumental in securing support for Nord Stream 2.
• Climate Foundation as a Sanctions Evasion Tool: The state government of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern established a "climate foundation" to circumvent US sanctions and ensure the completion of Nord Stream 2.
• Theresia Crone's Opposition: Theresia Crone, a climate activist, recognized the foundation as a front for Russian interests and tried to raise awareness.
• Foundation's Origins: The foundation's charter was drafted by an English law firm that also worked for Gazprom.
• Nord Stream 2's Influence: Nord Stream 2's communications head, Stefan Ebert, helped the state government develop arguments in support of the project.
• Financial Support: Nord Stream 2 provided significant financial support to the climate foundation, with a disproportionately small amount allocated to environmental measures.
• Completion of Nord Stream 2: Construction of Nord Stream 2 was completed at the end of 2021, paving the way for more cheap Russian gas to flow into Europe.
• Consequences for Ukraine: The pipeline made Ukraine less necessary as an economic partner for Russia, facilitating the attack on Ukraine in 2022.
• Miscalculation: Germany realized it had deceived itself, helping to undermine Ukraine's security interests.
• Putin's Strategy: Putin intended to use Germany's dependence on Russian gas to influence its reaction to the Russian invasion.

Conclusion

The video details two key instances of Russian interference in Europe: the attempted destabilization of Spain through the Catalan independence movement and the creation of energy dependence in Germany through the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. In both cases, Russia exploited existing vulnerabilities and used clandestine operations, front organizations, and influential individuals to advance its geopolitical goals. The failure of the Catalan coup and the eventual halt of Nord Stream 2 after the invasion of Ukraine do not negate the fact that these operations exposed weaknesses in Western democracies and highlighted the challenges of countering hybrid warfare tactics.