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

Stegeman, Elizabeth

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/73028 Copy

Description

Title

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

Author(s)

Stegeman, Elizabeth

Issue Date

2015-01-21

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

• Kolodziej, Ed
• Cooper, David

Department of Study

Russian,E European,Eurasn Ctr

Discipline

Russian, E Eur, Eurasian St

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.A.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

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

Abstract

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.

Graduation Semester

2014-12

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

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2014 Elizabeth Stegeman

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