Hague: Fracking can 'weaken Russia's grip over Europe'

Pushing ahead with controversial 'fracking' schemes could help reduce Russia's leverage over Europe, William Hague has suggested.

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UK 'should impose limitations' on Russian arms sales

An armed man, believed to be a Russian soldier, stands on guard outside a military base in Crimea Credit: Reuters

Britain and its allies should consider imposing lasting limitations on arms sales as part of a new relationship with Russia following the "outrageous" annexation of Crimea, Foreign Secretary William Hague said in an article for the Sunday Telegraph.

"This would involve Russia being outside some international organisations, facing lasting restrictions on military cooperation and arms sales, and having less influence over the rest of Europe," he wrote.

Investment can help 'greater energy security' in Europe

Ideas are being discussed for how Europe can build greater energy security, the Foreign Secretary has said, suggesting 'fracking' schemes could help reduce Russia's leverage over Europe.

In an article for the Sunday Telegraph, William Hague wrote:

We would need to boost investment in gas interconnections and terminals in Europe, and develop indigenous European energy supplies for countries wishing to develop their own resources, such as shale gas.

And it would mean helping Ukraine and neighbourhood countries to liberalise their energy markets, increase energy efficiency and ensure more resilient energy supplies. Russia's actions in Ukraine should make it much more likely that the European Union takes such decisions.

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Hague: Fracking can 'weaken Russia's grip over Europe'

Pushing ahead with controversial 'fracking' schemes could help reduce Russia's leverage over Europe, William Hague has suggested.

Foreign Secretary William Hague arrives for theEuropean Union Foreign Ministers council on the situation in Ukraine Credit: Wiktor Dabkowski

The Foreign Secretary urged a broader energy mix as he insisted nations should not "run scared" of Moscow's "bullying behaviour" in Ukraine.

The intervention - in an article for the Sunday Telegraph - came amid continuing tensions in Crimea, where pro-Russian forces have been storming Ukrainian military sites.

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