Search

The purpose of this article is to show the importance of the Nord Stream 2 project for Russia's external energy policy, for Gazprom's strategy and other Russian economic entities. The analysis of the potential consequences of the implementation of this project for Russia and the Russian entities involved in it is based on theoretical assumptions of neoclassical realism. For Moscow, the construction of new gas pipelines is to enable the resignation from dependence on gas transit through Ukraine. Nord Stream 2 is also an important political tool for Russia in its relations with the European Union. It allows Moscow, on the one hand, to strengthen political influence in selected countries of the Union (mainly in Germany, but also in France and the Netherlands), and on the other to strengthen the divisions between EU Member States (some EU states are opposed to implementing new infrastructure projects with Russia). For Gazprom, the new gas pipeline increases the possibilities of flexible response to changes taking place on the European market. Finally, the implementation of costly infrastructure projects is extremely important for economic interests of Russian construction companies, which, thanks to state procurement, gain significant financial profits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the article is to analyze the impact of membership in the European Union on Poland's energy security in the gas sector. The development of the EU energy policy as well as the EU internal market rules has had many positive effects on improving the energy security of the EU Member States, including Poland. Regulations of the EU energy law and competition rules give the Member States the opportunity to use important legal tools. In addition, the political and financial support of Brussels for the development of energy infrastructure gives the possibility of real integration with other countries within the EU energy market. On the other hand, the legal and institutional specificity of the EU as well as differences of interests between EU Member States mean that EU membership contributes little to the diversification of sources of supply, which remains one of the key objectives of Poland's energy policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]