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Russia has now also classified the environmental organization WWF as a "foreign agent". The Russian branch of the WWF announced that it would appeal against the decision of the Ministry of Justice in Moscow. Anyone who is listed as a "foreign agent" must reckon with numerous disadvantages. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) complain that Russians are turning away for fear of being accused of working with "foreign agents".
The WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) fears that nature and species protection in the largest country on earth in terms of area will be endangered. In a statement, the organization referred to three decades of work in Russia, which is now supported by around 1.5 million people. "It is very important for us that they stay by our side in these most difficult times. Environmental projects cannot be put on hold because that could undo the success of previous decades." The WWF is one of the largest environmental organizations worldwide. The Ministry of Justice accuses him of critically questioning decisions made by politicians and authorities.
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The Ministry justified the classification as a "foreign agent" as follows: "Under the guise of activity to protect nature and the environment, biological diversity, representatives of the WWF tried to influence decisions of the executive and legislature of the Russian Federation. They hampered the implementation of industrial and infrastructure projects." The Russian government has already branded dozens of NGOs, independent media and people with the "foreign agent" label.
