The Energy Card in Russian Foreign Policy

Abstract

Abstract The energy card in Russian Foreign Policy

Since the beginning of the twentieth century, energy resources have shaped many aspects of modern life, economies and relations among states. Given the geo-strategic salience of oil and gas reserves and the growing reliance upon them, “petro-states” ( producer and exporter countries) have started to use resources as a foreign policy tool, the so called “energy weapon”, in order to obtain their strategic objectives and influence the international affairs. Since it is the today world's largest oil producer, Russia stands out as an “energy superpower” . Already during the Soviet period, Russian political leadership has pursued a policy of energy lever to reward friends and punish enemies. This “carrots and sticks” policy is fulfilled by subsidized oil and gas sales, cut-offs, disruptions, transit pipelines fees and sanctions to neighbor countries. In particular, under President Putin Russia's energy influence reached unprecedented heights, as a result of: high oil and gas prices, high export revenues, maximization of power and centralization of energy sector in the state's hands. The dissertation analyses the “energy card” in foreign policy of Russia. First of all why it is recurring in Russian history and how is linked with Russian strategic culture. Secondly, through a comparative analysis, two perceptions of Russian energy policies will be considered : the first as a purely political coercion against post- Soviet space in attempt to prevent the breakaway from Russian sphere of influence. The second one includes instead economic underpinnings in Russian foreign policy, which therefore hides commercial interests. After a brief historical background about gas disputes in Ukraine and Belarus, the feasibility and effectiveness of “stick and carrot” policy are examined, in view of two major obstacles respectively :the absolute reliance on revenue from gas and oil exports of Russian economy and the drift towards the Western umbrella. Finally, the paper will investigate the strategic goals of Russian foreign energy policy and its future projections.