Russian Energy Interests in the Ukrainian Gas Sector: Strategically Motivated Conduct?
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2015 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Geopolitics of Energy |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Political sciences |
| Keywords | Gazprom; politicization of gas supplies; Ukrainian crises; Russian gas |
| Description | This article assesses the behaviour of the Russian state-owned gas company Gazprom on the Ukrainian market, addressing allegations that the company serves the Kremlin as a tool for leverage. The article examines the broad scope of mutual relations between Russia and Ukraine, including historical and economic determinants. For assessing Gazprom's behaviour the authors constructed an ideal theoretical model of geopolitically-motivated conduct. Using this model, the authors examine individual significant disputes and energy-related highlights in the mutual relations of the aforementioned countries and Gazprom. The authors conclude that despite the popular perception that Gazprom represents the Kremlin's favourite tool for exerting pressure, an economic rationale can be found in the majority of cases. The research also concludes that the condition of the Ukrainian market permits Gazprom to set unfavourable conditions for Ukraine. This, however, does not apply to cases where significant changes in Ukraine's foreign policy discourse were followed by non-standard deals and turnovers in Gazprom's and Russia's policy towards Ukraine. |
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