Title: The role of geo-energy interests of Russia in secessionist conflicts in Eastern Europe

Authors: José Antonio Peña-Ramos; Dmitry Sergeyevich Amirov

Addresses: Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Ctra. de Utrera, km. 1. 41013-Sevilla, Spain; Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Av. Pedro de Valdivia 425, Providencia, Región Metropolitana, Chile ' Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Ctra. de Utrera, km. 1. 41013-Sevilla, Spain

Abstract: The abruption of the Soviet Union provoked a very unstable decade of decay for Russia, and created numerous conflicts in the post-Soviet space. Russia recovered influence at global and, mainly, regional level, after Vladimir Putin became president in 2000, and after the rise of the hydrocarbons' price. Energy policy played an indispensable role. For the Russian geo-energy interests, Eastern Europe, where several secessionist conflicts took place, leading to Russian political, diplomatic and military intervention, was crucial. This article examines and discusses the impact of Russian intervention in these conflicts, based on its geo-energy interests, particularly since Putin became president. The working hypothesis proposes that Russia's involvement in the three secessionist conflicts in Eastern Europe (Crimea, Donbass and Transnistria) has considerably benefited the many Russian geo-energy interests. [Received: December 22, 2017; Accepted: March 20, 2018]

Keywords: secessionist conflicts; Eastern Europe; energy policy; hydrocarbons; geo-energy interests; Russia; influence; intervention; involvement.

DOI: 10.1504/IJOGCT.2018.093146

International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Technology, 2018 Vol.18 No.3/4, pp.485 - 511

Received: 22 Dec 2017
Accepted: 20 Mar 2018
Published online: 10 Jul 2018 *

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