Russian Energy Policy: The Role of Oil and Gas in Strengthening of the Regime

Cilj rada je istražiti ulogu energetskih resursa u politici Rusije nakon raspada Sovjetskog Saveza i ispitati na koji se način koriste od strane trenutne vlasti na čelu s predsjednikom Vladimirom Putinom. Kroz povijesni pregled razvoja i poslovanja najvažnijih energetskih tvrtki u Rusiji i analizu političkih implikacija izgradnje novih plinovoda nastoji se dokazati kako je dolazak Putina na vlast 2000. godine potaknuo konsolidaciju i jačanje Rusije. Tome je pridonijela politika nacionalizacije energetskih divova, poput Gazproma i Rosnefta, te blizak odnos političkog vrha s upravljačkim strukturama u navedenim tvrtkama. Jednako tako, prikazom novih infrastrukturnih projekata, ponajprije plinovoda Sjeverni tok 2, Turski tok i Snaga Sibira, rad opisuje ulogu Europske unije, Turske i Kine u suvremenoj trgovini energentima. Rezultati prikazanog na kraju su dokaz kako je energetska politika poslije 2000. uvelike stabilizirala i ojačala Rusiju i na unutarnjoj i vanjskopolitičkoj sceni. Razlozi tome su, između ostalog, odlazak i slabljenje političara i oligarha koji su dominirali političkim sustavom Rusije tijekom devedesetih, ali i politika čvrste ruke kojom se vodi Vladimir Putin.The aim of this paper is to explore the role of energy resources in Russian policy after the downfall of the Soviet Union and to examine in which way they are being used by the current authority headed by president Vladimir Putin. Through historical review of development and business management of most important energy companies in Russia and analysis of political implications in construction of new gas pipelines, the idea is to prove how Putin's rise to power in 2000 stimulated the consolidation and strenghtening of Russia. That was enabled by policy of nationalization of energy giants, such as, Gazprom and Rosneft, and close relations of political establishment and governing structures in mentioned companies. Furthermore, through portrayal of new infrastructural projects, primarily Nord Stream 2, TurkStream and Power of Siberia gas pipelines, the paper describes the role of European Union, Turkey and China in modern energy trade. The results are evidence how post-2000 energy policy significantly stabilised and strenghtened both domestic and foreign relations of Russia. The reasons can be found in departure and weakening of politicians and oligarchs who dominated Russian political system during the nineties, but also tight political control of Vladimir Putin