Russian Energy Strategy and Transit Routes in Eastern Europe

Abstract

The article considers perceptions of the new Russian energy policy in the oil and gas sector in Eastern Europe with a particular focus on the Polish perspective. The paper explains the regional reservations in Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, and the Baltic States to the Russo-German cooperation on the Nord Stream Pipeline project. Then, it summarises the view of the Russian-Ukrainian gas disputes and regional consequences of the disruptions in gas supply. The paper discusses Poland’s energy security policy and conflicting expectations concerning the Yamal-Europe Gas Pipeline. The implications of Russian plans to reduce importance of the Druzhba oil pipeline are considered. Attempts to develop new energy alliances and a regional energy security policy towards Russia are further presented together with the joint energy projects in Eastern Europe such as Odessa-Brody, Amber Stream, Skanled and Baltic Pipe, as well as Mazeikiu Refinery or Ignalin nuclear plant.

Keywords: energy security, Yamal gas pipeline, gas disputes, Polish energy policy, Ukrainian gas crisis

JEL Classification: Q49, L95, L98, L52, H17