... contrast to the economically and politically stagnating West. However, for Russia, this re-emergence plays an exceptional role which stirs much uncertainty and mistrust, as once this giant wipes of the rheum around its eyes and springs back full of energy, its only natural room to manoeuvre seems northwards. Even if the world does not tremble, Russia fears that at the least Eurasia will shake. As promised, this is the second post in this special series and once again I am joined by the Head of Oil ...
Euro-Russian relations have strained over the recent years in energy matters as certain vested interests shifted perceptions into the realm of what I would express as logical fallacies – technically making sense to a degree, but only when numerous caveats are applied. In this post issues like energy weaponry ...
... system. More specifically, Moscow lacks a clear strategic direction, as the ruling regime is increasingly divided between an official commitment to economic modernisation, on the one hand, and authoritarian consolidation, on the other hand.
Energy Calamity
It is argued by some that the Russo-European relationship has soured creating an anti-Russian stance. Has this occurred due to European attempts to lower gas import prices, or more serious underlining issues? Europe’s potential ...
... perhaps one of the biggest challenges in the upcoming decade as its economy is overly dependent upon natural wealth, but our main European market is quickly becoming less accessible raising the question: where to go? Aside, long-term diversification from energy export dependence, Russia has a relatively shorter-term option: to expand into Asia, but this option is far from easy and requires tricky manoeuvres.
Personal Note: I should have uploaded this particular post on RIAC from the start to make ...
... and institutions I follow. Also, please feel free to leave a comment below!
March's Top News:
- Xi Jinping... From Russia With Love:
Xi Jinping visit to Russia was highly symbolic, as is the case with first foreign visits (See: NTS). Energy was at the forefront of the visit with two different outcomes for the oil and gas talks. The other issue was geopolitics as the visit signalled that the world is changing by shifting West to East (See: Reuters). Xi argued that its "time to ...
... issues? E.U. works with ‘sheikh style’ regimes of Central Asia – so additionally does the model of governance influence relations?
That is a good, but difficult question as there have been evident tensions with a lot of it around energy, as E.U. has been trying to lower gas prices whilst Russia has cut off gas supplies to Ukraine and Belarus [not helping the relationship]. Also, a lot of it has to do with psychology of the Russian foreign policy. Russia should be a superpower and it should ...
During the process of preparing and researching for my dissertation «The Role of Eastern Energy Strategy in the Russian Foreign Policy: Opportunities and Threats» at the HSE, I was introduced to this insightful publication «Energy Outlook Until 2035». Today I wish to share its findings and conclusions with anyone who is ...
... can mutually benefit; the contract is a hybrid, as it is both long-term and incorporates hubs to determine pricing. But equally, the rest of Europe must value Russia’s interests in this interdependent bond as no one else can offer as much gas. E.U. must aid predictability by outlining an energy policy and do so on mutual terms, especially with what pace 70-80% ratio mentioned earlier will fall. Also the legal action against Russia’s gas giant is unproductive as unlike North America – Soviet, Russian and European infrastructure ...
The 3rd International Conference coincided with a fairly damp economic climate and unstable political atmosphere across many energy exporting states, thus in all building up naturally not overly optimistic mood. However, in respect to the Russia situation it was far from bleak as instability was actually playing into its favour. Iran’s expulsion from the global political ...
