Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree aimed at protecting the interests of strategic companies like Gazprom that operate outside Russia.
The decree says Russian strategic firms that work abroad must obtain government permission before disclosing information to foreign regulators, changing contracts, or selling property abroad.
It also obliges the government to refuse permission to disclose information "capable of damaging the economic interests of the Russian Federation."
The European Union last week launched an antitrust investigation into Gazprom's pricing practices in Central and Eastern Europe.
The EU is asking why Gazprom has linked the price of natural gas to oil prices.
It also suspects Gazprom has hindered competition by restricting the free flow of gas to Europe and by preventing other countries from diversifying their supply sources.
The decree says Russian strategic firms that work abroad must obtain government permission before disclosing information to foreign regulators, changing contracts, or selling property abroad.
It also obliges the government to refuse permission to disclose information "capable of damaging the economic interests of the Russian Federation."
The European Union last week launched an antitrust investigation into Gazprom's pricing practices in Central and Eastern Europe.
The EU is asking why Gazprom has linked the price of natural gas to oil prices.
It also suspects Gazprom has hindered competition by restricting the free flow of gas to Europe and by preventing other countries from diversifying their supply sources.