Russia’s policy toward the pipeline transport in the caspian region: Results and prospects

After the breakdown of the USSR, the positions of Russia in pipeline transport in the Caspian region have changed. The appearance of new independent states on the Caspian shores put an end to the domination of the Russian influence in energy exports. For over two decades, Russia’s policy in the Caspian region concerning the pipeline transport was subject to evolution. Russia had to take into consideration the emergence of new export routes developed by the Caspian states in support of the leading oil and gas companies, the USA, and EU and also availability of new potential pipeline projects. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015