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

Key Concepts

• Annexation of Crimea
• Hybrid Warfare
• Catalan Independence Movement
• Nord Stream 2 Pipeline
• Russian Influence in Europe
• Energy Dependence
• Sanctions Evasion
• Climate Foundation (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern)

Catalan Independence and Russian Interference

• Context: Following the annexation of Crimea in 2014, Russia sought to destabilize Western democracies, particularly EU member states.
• Catalan Separatist Movement: In 2017, the Kremlin saw an opportunity in Catalonia's push for independence from Spain.
• Victor Terodas's Role: Victor Terodas, Secretary for International Relations of a major Catalan political party, sought international allies for Catalonia's independence.
• Contact with Sergey Marov: Terodas contacted Sergey Marov, a close advisor to Putin, to discuss potential Russian support.
• Offer to Recognize Crimea: The Catalan separatists offered to recognize Crimea as part of Russia in exchange for the Kremlin's support for Catalan independence. This was a significant concession, contradicting Spain and the EU's diplomatic stance.
• Kremlin's Official Stance vs. Actions: While Marov claims the Kremlin rejected the deal and officially supported Spain's territorial integrity, Russia used the situation to sow discord.
• Nikolai Sadovnikov's Involvement: Nikolai Sadovnikov, a retired Russian diplomat with ties to the Kremlin, met with Catalan President Carles Puigdemont in Barcelona.
• Offer of Military Support: Sadovnikov offered 10,000 Russian soldiers and economic aid to support a Catalan coup d'état. This offer was recorded on Terodas's phone.
• Puigdemont's Rejection: Puigdemont rejected the offer, opting for a peaceful approach.
• Continued Russian Interest: Even after Puigdemont fled to Brussels, his chief of staff, Yusep Lluís Alay, made multiple trips to Russia, potentially seeking renewed support.
• Alay's Message Regarding Navalny: Alay sent a message to Puigdemont suggesting he avoid commenting on the Navalny poisoning to please Russian contacts.
• Criminal Investigations: The Russian conspiracy led to criminal investigations in Spain, but no trials or convictions occurred.
• Long-Term Implications: The Kremlin may find Catalan nationalism interesting again in the future to destabilize Spain.

Nord Stream 2 and German Energy Dependence

• Nord Stream 2 Project: Russia embarked on the Nord Stream 2 project in 2018, a gas pipeline from Russia to Germany through the Baltic Sea.
• Geopolitical Implications: The pipeline bypassed Ukraine, depriving it of transit fees and increasing Europe's dependence on Russian gas.
• Hannes Damm's Investigation: Hannes Damm, a member of the state parliament of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, investigated potential Russian manipulation and local mismanagement related to the pipeline.
• Obstructed Access to Information: Damm faced difficulties accessing information, with redacted documents and missing files.
• US Opposition: The US, under both President Obama and President Trump, opposed Nord Stream 2, warning of Germany's increasing dependence on Russia.
• Angela Merkel's Energy Policy: Angela Merkel's energy policies, including the phasing out of nuclear power, 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 progress.
• Impact on Sassnitz: The sanctions negatively impacted Sassnitz, a port city preparing for the pipeline's arrival.

The Climate Foundation and Sanctions Evasion

• Matias Warnig's Role: Matias Warnig, managing director of Nord Stream 2 and a former Stasi informant with close ties to Putin, met with state premier Manuela Schwesig to circumvent US sanctions.
• Establishment of the Climate Foundation: The state government of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern established a "Climate Foundation" to facilitate the completion of Nord Stream 2, exploiting a loophole in US sanctions.
• Theresia Crone's Opposition: Theresia Crone, a climate activist, recognized the foundation as a means to circumvent sanctions and promote Russian interests.
• Foundation's Statutes and Funding: The foundation's statutes were drafted by a law firm that also worked for Gazprom, and the project was primarily funded by Gazprom.
• Stefan Ebert's Involvement: Stefan Ebert, Nord Stream 2's media representative, assisted the state government in developing arguments in support of the project.
• Russian Influence: The foundation was a Russian idea realized by the government of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern to promote Russia's interests in Germany.
• Financial Allocation: The foundation allocated significantly more funds to the pipeline's completion (€165 million) than to environmental measures (€20 million).
• Sanctions Evasion: The foundation allowed Russia to continue funding the pipeline's construction while evading US sanctions.
• Completion of Nord Stream 2: Construction of Nord Stream 2 was completed at the end of 2021.

Conclusion

Putin's strategy of hybrid warfare, exemplified by the Catalan independence movement and the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, aimed to exploit vulnerabilities in Western democracies. The Kremlin sought to sow discord, increase energy dependence, and undermine neighboring countries like Ukraine. The use of clandestine operations, energy policy, and sanctions evasion posed a significant challenge to the West. The Nord Stream 2 project, in particular, demonstrated how Russia could leverage economic influence and political maneuvering to advance its geopolitical goals, ultimately contributing to the conditions that enabled the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.