The Global Energy Transition and Russia’s Strategic Influence in Europe’s Eastern Periphery

Focus: Explores how the global energy transition and climate policies are reshaping Russia’s use of energy as a geopolitical influence tool in Europe’s Eastern periphery.

Description: This project investigates the impact of the global energy transition on Russia’s approach to exerting influence in Europe’s Eastern periphery. Since the 1960s, the EU has pursued a strategy of building interdependencies with the Soviet Union and later, Russia through trade, particularly in the energy sector. This approach, exemplified by policies like Ostpolitik, was based on the belief that economic ties could foster democracy and peaceful relations. Despite Russia’s transition in the early post-Soviet period, its annexation of Crimea in 2014 and full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 have undermined this strategy, challenging the assumption that trade and interdependence could mitigate aggression. Against this backdrop, the project will analyse how global developments in the energy sector, particularly the shift towards renewables and climate mitigation policies, shape and/or constrain Russia’s use of energy as a tool for international influence. It will examine how Russia adapts its strategies as an energy superpower to these shifts and explore how the EU can promote mutually beneficial interdependencies by enforcing higher environmental standards, accelerating the energy transition, and advancing climate goals in its energy trade with Russia.

Application details and procedures can be found here:
Marie Curie ITN Researcher (Central & East · University of Glasgow