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Russia’s Energy Politics and Its Relevance for the EU

Russia continuously uses energy politics as a foreign policy instrument, thwarting EU diversification efforts, setting foot in the MENA region, and establishing itself as a major supplier of energy to China.

published by
IEMed Mediterranean Yearbook 2019
 on October 3, 2019

Source: IEMed Mediterranean Yearbook 2019

Since Russian President Vladimir Putin has been in power in Moscow, oil and gas have been an integral part of Russia’s strategy to regain influence on the world stage. Mastering gas supplies to the European Union and thwarting EU diversification efforts have long been key components of this strategy.

Other policy elements have gained importance over the years, such as setting foot in the Middle East and North African (MENA) region and catering for new customers such as China. In addition, in the medium term, the surge of the United States as a major liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplier to the EU will create a new challenge for Moscow.

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This article was originally published in the IEMed Mediterranean Yearbook 2019.