This is the 15531st most frequent Russian word.
препятствует
"Hinders" or "obstructs."
In this sentence, 'препятствует' is used to convey that the lateness causes difficulties for the commencement of the meeting.
Ваше опоздание препятствует началу встречи.
Your lateness hinders the start of the meeting.
Here, 'препятствует' indicates that the dense forest prevents or impedes movement along the route.
Густой лес препятствует прохождению маршрута.
The dense forest impedes the passage of the route.
In this context, 'препятствует' is describing how bureaucracy poses hindrances or obstacles to the progress of innovations.