The Role of Energy Diplomacy in the Russian-EU Relations (2014-2023)

International energy relations play one of crucial roles in shaping the international policies of Russia and the European Union (further – EU). Over the past decade, the energy policies of Russia and the EU have been at the center of discussions and negotiations, with each side aiming to secure their energy interests and ensure stability in the European continent. From 2014 to 2023, the dynamics of Russian-EU energy relations have been complex and constantly evolving, influenced by geopolitical tensions, market trends, and the quest for energy security and national sovereignty. This thesis delves into the analysis of the dynamics of the development and changes in Russian-EU energy diplomacy from 2014 to 2023. The aim of this study is to analyse the main aspects of Russian and EU relations in relation to their energy policies during this chronological frame, stating that relations between Russia and the EU in the energy sector from 2014 to 2022 were characterized for both parts of the partnership mostly by energy economic and national interests that are closely linked to the realist political theory and its main dimensions. After February 2022 and until 2023, the relation between the EU and Russia in the energy sector not only changed radically, but also began to be determined by foreign policies behavior, marked by the use of energy diplomacy as a tool of applying political and economic pressure. For the EU, the political agenda became dominant, marking a radical change in priorities in energy economic relations with Russia towards liberal concerns and the renouncement of the Russian energy products, as well as using energy diplomacy as a tool for applying pressure and demonstrating the condemnation of Russian foreign policy actions. The work also aims at establishing possible forecasts for the development of the EU-Russia relations based on the fact that some of the EU-Russia energy agreements have not been terminated even after 2022. The study drew conclusions about how energy and diplomatic pressure from the EU affected the Russian energy industry, and what was proposed as a further strategy to stabilize the energy situation on both sides of the conflict. It is expected that trade in energy products between the EU countries and Russia is still continuing, albeit in a considerably smaller amount, while Russia is founding its ways to circumvent sanctions and restrictions implemented by the EU starting in 2022 along with the reorienting its international energy policies and, most importantly, redirecting its national policy towards technological sovereignty.