Russian Energy Policy vis-a-vis Europe: Natural Resources as a Means of Foreign Policy
Abstract
The dissolution of the Soviet Union left Russia without efficient military power and with a tumbled-down defense industry, both of which are critically important to supporting its resurfaced superpower ambitions. This obstacle could be overcome by substituting military power with economic power through domination as the region's leading energy supplier. Establishment of government control over the energy sector has become a key element of Russian domestic policy, and it would convert Russia's energy resources into an instrument of state power. All major energy transportation routes between Russian energy producers and European consumers are in possession of the former Soviet republics. Russia has become heavily dependent on these countries as energy transit intermediaries. To ensure consistency of the energy supply flow and to lessen Russia's reliance on the transit states, Russia is seeking ways to diversify energy transportation routes to Europe. Russia is willing to pay a significantly higher cost for a complex construction of new pipelines that would bypass the intermediaries. The establishment of Russian monopolistic control over energy flow to Europe might be converted into regional political dominance. Threatening the possibility of abrupt energy disruption and price manipulation could become an efficient tool of state power for achieving Russia's political objectives. Taking into account the growing demand for energy across Europe and, in particular, in the European Union, are Russia's attempts to monopolize the European energy market just economically motivated or are they a way to accomplish Russia's international political ambitions by using economic means as an instrument of state power? What are the challenges to implementation of the common energy security of the European Union, specifically with respect to Russian "energy foreign policy"? What could be done and what is being done by the European Union to enhance European energy security?
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA563450
Entities
People
- Kostiantyn V. Vagin
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School