Selective solidarity: Russia's divide and conquer strategy and the impact on EU energy security

Abstract Russian hydrocarbon resources are a major source of energy for the European Union, natural gas in particular. Controlling energy flow gives Russia powerful leverage and Russia continues to use this to its geo-political advantage. Although the Russian economy is heavily dependent on revenue from EU consumers, this has not prevented energy monopolies from becoming involved in diplomacy. Since President Vladimir Putin ascended to power in 2000, Russia’s energy giants have been used by the State to play a more aggressive role in influencing politics in neighboring countries. Since Poland joined the European Union in 2004, it has been vocal and influential on energy policy. Despite Poland’s contributions, a unified response to threats to European energy security is still lacking. On the contrary, Russia’s use of energy giants like Gazprom has been much more successful and in providing President Putin with a strategic advantage. This advantage has not only manifested itself in successful energy monopolies abroad, but also in Putin’s reshaping of Russian nationalism.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Russian, E Eur, Eurasian St

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Stegeman, Elizabeth

Contributors dc:contributor

• Kolodziej, Ed
• Cooper, David

• Energy Security
• Russia
• Energy Politics
• Eastern Europe
• European Union (EU)
• Energy Policy

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2014 Elizabeth Stegeman

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/73028

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/73028