Between European Union and Russia: energy issues in Ukrainian foreign policy
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Date
2014
Authors
Kroshka, Iana
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
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Abstract
Energy is the material basis for the progress of human civilization
and an indispensable basic condition for the development of modem society. The
words of the 39th President of the United States Jimmy Carter should never be forgotten:
“We simply must balance our demand for energy with our rapidly shrinking resources.
By acting now we can control our future instead of letting the future control
us”. In reality, however, energy development at present still faces many challenges,
the energy demand and the sources available still seem like an unsolvable equation,'
especially when it comes to Ukraine, where 70% of gas consumption relies on im
ports. Energy issues are still highly politicized and polarized in this country, needlessly influencing national security interests. Therefore, this article is devoted to researching
current Ukrainian energy issues and their influence on the development of
the foreign policy of Ukraine. In other words, the main purpose of the paper is to
shed light on Ukraine’s energy sector as well as its role in Ukrainian foreign policy in
general: how to maintain close cooperation with Russia but not over-rely on it (due to
the energy shortage in Ukraine, Russian Federation is still it s the most important
source of energy supply); how in the circumstances of dependency on Russia to establish
equal and mutually beneficial energy cooperation relations with it; how to
hold Russian’s energy diplomacy towards Ukraine in an appropriate balance; how to
maintain and improve the energy and economic security of Ukraine and to keep
friendly and balanced relations with Europe at the same time. Moreover, the article
also focuses on the role of the energy policy in international relations between
Ukraine, Russia and European Union countries.
Description
Keywords
European union, Russia, foreign policy
Citation
Kroshka I. Between European Union and Russia: energy issues in Ukrainian foreign policy / Iana Kroshka // Українська орієнталістика : [збірник наукових праць]. - 2013-2014. - Вип. 7-8. - С. 172-178.