La geopolítica de la energía: acuerdos y desacuerdos en la relación entre Rusia y la Unión Europea. Contexto histórico de una relación conflictiva 1973-2020

Abstract

The relationship in the energy sector between Europe and Russia has been conflictive since the Soviet Union broke into the international oil and natural gas export markets after the 1973 energy crisis. At that time, hydrocarbon exports from Soviet territory provided it an option for energy diversification to the Western European economies after the shortage caused by the OPEC nations. However, after the fall of the Soviet bloc and the subsequent rise to power of Vladimir Putin, Russia has become a nation that has used its energy strength to build a foreign policy based on a geopolitical use of its natural gas exports to the European market, which have served the Russian government to establish relations of cooperation and deterrence with the nations of the European Union, as well as with members of NATO, with the aim of weakening its projection of power in their common border area. In the current situation, the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline plays a leading role in improving relations between Europe and Russia, since natural gas exports from Russia are a factor that can strengthen Europe’s energy security