Russia’s Energy Diplomacy: A Political Idea Lacking a Strategy?

Abstract

Understandings of Russian energy diplomacy often focus on its position as an ‘energy superpower’ that uses its resources as a political tool in international affairs. This article examines and questions this ‘superpower’ status, particularly noting gas shortages. The article also suggests that Russian energy diplomacy is flawed by a lack of a coherent, consensus‐based strategy for achieving this ‘superpower’ status. Moreover, it suggests that in Russia’s case, weakness goes together with strength and obliges Russia to be cooperative in its foreign relationships. Nonetheless, Russian energy diplomacy in the last two years has been marked by failure.

Notes

[1] Interview with Dr Nazrin Mehdiyeva, 19 January 2007.

[2] Available from http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/‐gazprom‐turkmenistan‐confirm‐plans‐implement‐gas‐contract‐2028‐/2007/02/17/2345267.htm.

[3] For a more detailed examination of EU‐Russia energy relations, see Monaghan (2006).