Energy policy of Russia rate at which Russia’s gas is sold to Germany. Russia's energy superpower status became a hot topic in the European Union in 2006. Russia's large reserves of natural gas have helped give it the title without much debate. Russia has identified natural gas as a key strategic asset, and since 20 July 2006 Gazprom has had the exclusive right to export natural gas. The Russian government is the largest shareholder of Gazprom, and has been accused of manipulating prices for political reasons, particularly in CIS nations. After Russia's annexation of Crimea and involvement in the War in Eastern Ukraine in
Gazprom Board of Directors as of 9 August 2015: Former members of the board: Gazprom's management committee as of December 2006: Former members of the management committee: On 5 September 2005, shares of the members of the Board of Directors and Management Committee were: Others have no share. Gazprom is the owner and sponsor of the Russian Premier League football club FC Zenit Saint Petersburg and volleyball club VC Zenit-Kazan and Gazprom-Ugra Surgut at Russian Super League. On 1 January 2007, Gazprom also became the sponsor of the German Bundesliga club FC Schalke 04 at a cost of up to €25