AI Summary & Key Takeaways
AI InsightThis paper will elaborate on the main parameters of Russia’s new foreign energy policy after the Crimean crisis by focusing on these three natural gas pipeline projects.
📌 3 Key Takeaways
Abstract
Between 1991 and 2000, Russia has experienced the negative consequences of the disintegration of the Soviet Union internally and externally. However, thanks to the centralist policies pursued by Vladimir Putin, accompanied by a positive international atmosphere and increasing energy prices, Russia has again become a noteworthy global power since the 2000s. Moscow has been exporting natural gas and oil to European markets mostly via Ukraine. However, Russia has used gas disruptions to punish Ukraine’s rapprochement with the Euro-Atlantic bloc since the Orange Revolution (2004). The Kremlin seeks to control Ukraine because of its global significance to Russia — geostrategically, geopolitically, geoeconomically, and geoculturally. The rejection of the EU Association Agreement in November 2013 by the then-Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych resulted in the Maidan Events, the downfall of Yanukovych, pro-Europeans coming into power in Ukraine, and the annexation of Crimea by Russia. After that, the Euro-Atlantic bloc began to heavily sanction Moscow. Despite those sanctions, Russia has not altered its Ukraine policy. Russia has attached great importance to completing the TurkStream, Power of Siberia, and Nord Stream 2 projects. This paper will elaborate on the main parameters of Russia’s new foreign energy policy after the Crimean crisis by focusing on these three natural gas pipeline projects.