CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2009
| Author | Negru, Valeriu Nicolae |
|---|---|
| Title | Russian Gas: the Most Efficient Instrument of Russian Foreign Policy towards Ukraine? |
| Summary | This thesis is aimed at exploring the Russian foreign policy tendencies towards Ukraine after the collapse of USSR. It investigates the influence of Russian gas on the Russia - Ukraine relationship. It is argued that Russia uses its gas ‘weapon’ as the main foreign policy instrument in towards Ukraine. In this sense, Russia puts pressure on Ukraine to adopt those positions that would facilitate and promote Russia’s national interests in Ukraine. It is argued that post communist Russia had two main periods in the development of its foreign policy. First was during Yeltsin’s presidency, when Russia adopted a liberal approach in defining its foreign policy strategies and instruments. It was a phase when Russia being a weak and an inefficient state subsidized the economies of CIS countries, for keeping them in its sphere of influence. Second period started in 2000, when Putin came to power in Russia. During Putin’s presidency Russia made a switch towards neoclassical realism approach in defining its foreign policy instruments and strategies. This period is characterized by a strengthening of Russian state and adoption of a pragmatic foreign policy towards CIS countries. Furthermore, Putin’s Russia started to use efficiently the ‘gas weapon’ for keeping its influence in such a strategic CIS country, as is Ukraine. It is argued that Russia focused mostly on the usage of ‘gas weapon’ because it represents the most effective and successful instrument for pressure and blackmail Ukrainian leadership. Because Russia has a monopolist position on Ukrainian energy market, Russian gas proved to be the best way to determine Ukraine to be loyal to Russia. Therefore, in the future Russia will make use of its ‘gas weapon’ every time when Ukraine will make any attempts to adopt an unpleasant (from Russian point of view) position towards Russia. |
| Supervisor | MICHAEL MERLINGEN |
| Department | International Relations MA |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2009/negru_valeriu.pdf |
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