Geopolitics vs. energy politics: what drives Russian foreign policy?

Abstract

For centuries, Russia has been viewed as a formidable nation or empire for other nations to deal with. Emerging from centuries of struggle to overcome their environment and hostile neighbors, Russians have created the largest nation in the world and one which spans two continents and a multitude of cultures. The vastness and complexity of Russia, however, makes it difficult for other nations to determine how to deal with a nation that can be so powerful and enduring and yet so vulnerable at the same time. In analyzing Russian foreign policy, many will tend to focus on Russia’s current position in the world, and where it focuses its efforts. The current focus on energy security in Europe and Russia may often preclude any consideration of history, and be given as a motivating factor in any of Russia’s dealings. And to be certain, many of Russia’s engagements with the world in some way or another may involve the energy trade. And yet to many academics, Russia’s current behavior seems to follow historic patterns that cannot simply be explained by nostalgia of the Russian Empire or the Soviet Union. This paper will examine Russian geopolitics and energy politics in an attempt to determine which factor is the greater determinant in Russian foreign policy. This paper will begin with a review of the theories of foreign policy and geopolitics before specifically reviewing Russian geography, history, current foreign policy theory, and energy trade. A review of two recent conflicts in Georgia and Ukraine will be compared to the theoretical understanding of Russia’s foreign policy as well as Russia’s geopolitical history and energy sector in order to determine the underlying factors in Russia’s involvement in both conflicts. Doing so may help scholars and policy makers to better understand Russian motives in its foreign policy, and thus foster a more constructive relation with this great power.