CEPESE CEPESE | CENTRO DE ESTUDOS DA POPULAÇÃO, ECONOMIA E SOCIEDADE

Gazprom and the Russian Economic Diplomacy Towards the EU: Blurred Frontiers Between the Company and the State

This study seeks to analyse the Russian energetic sector as the backbone of the Russian economy and its importance in the shaping of the Russian foreign policy. By Estela Vieira

This study seeks to analyse the Russian energetic sector as the backbone of the Russian economy and its importance in the shaping of the Russian foreign policy. The scope of our analysis is the company Gazprom, a state ‘quasi-gas-monopoly’, which plays an assertive role in the steering of the Russian strategy to become a leading international actor. It is an undeniable fact that interdependence ties both international players: The EU and Russia. The EU fears Russia might use energy (gas and oil) as a ‘weapon’. Nevertheless, considering that there is strong mutual dependence, we do not foresee Russia attempting to use this as a diplomatic lever because it would ruin its eagerness to be perceived as a hydrocarbons reliable supplier in the international scenario.

By Estela Vieira.

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