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The initial period of energy relations between the USSR and the FRG is considered. The question is raised about the role of economic diplomacy in the development of bilateral dialogue. Particular attention is paid to the impact of sanctions factors and political pressure from third parties on the oil and gas partnership between Moscow and Bonn. Transcripts of Bundestag meetings of the 1960s and the archives of the German Foreign Ministry during the specified period were put into circulation and used as sources. It analyzes how the establishment of bilateral energy cooperation was due to the need to restore and strengthen the economies of countries after the Second World War, the crises in the Middle East in the energy exporting countries, as well as the increased foreign policy and foreign economic activity of the USSR and the FRG in the 1950s-1960s. It is proved that the parties maintained close ties in the field of energy, despite the sanctions pressure and political differences between states during the Cold War. At the same time, it was noted that the pragmatism of the leaderships of the Soviet Union and West Germany in the area under study became the reason for the sustainable nature of the energy dialogue in the following decades, already in a completely different international political environment.

The Soviet-German economic relations between the 1960s and 1970s are characterized by wide contacts at the private business and official state levels, when the economic policy of the West Germany was being carried out in close cooperation with the “private” initiatives of German entrepreneurs. This connection can be observed in the negotiations held in 1958, 1962 and 1966, as well as before the signing of the Treaty of Moscow in 1969-1970 after the “negotiation marathon” between West German entrepreneurs and Soviet negotiators. “The New Eastern Policy” became a significant instrument for building complex relations with the Soviet Union, although with very different approaches taken by representatives of West German conservative-liberal (CDU/CSU, FDP) and social-democratic (SPD) political camps. Nevertheless, at first this resulted in a gradual and then an accelerated economic integration of the Soviet Union into the world economy. The economic interests of the two countries called for a constructive dialogue. Finally, the emergence of bilateral positive economic dependence between them that rested on different socio-economic and ideological principles forced both sides to carefully handle the pipeline infrastructure.

The paper analyzes the current situation in the European gas market and defines the role of the Russian Federation in it. A range of issues which has a detrimental impact on the EU gas security system is identified. The paper is devoted to studying methods conducted by the EU in order to strengthen stability of the EU gas market, their impact on the Russian-European energy dialogue is indicated. The authors evaluate the effectiveness of the EU energy policy. The growing independence of the energy policy of the European Union is underscored. In conclusion, comparing various aspects of the Russian energy supplies with supplies of other European energy exporters, it is concluded that the Russian Federation remains to be the crucial player on the European gas market.

The article examines the content, forms, methods, means energy diplomacy of Russia and the EU. The author focuses on the increasing role of energy diplomacy in the implementation of energy plans and the foreign policy interests of the Russian Federation and the EU. The article outlines structural variables, which create substantial preconditions for further strengthening of links between the two sides. Hence, it estimates potential for the increased Russia_EU cooperation in energy sphere as significant.

In recent years there has been brewing up a necessity in Russia to change direction of its external energy policy radically as a result of unconstructive and hugely politically charged approach of the EU - main and traditional partner of Russia - to settlement of fundamental issues in bilateral cooperation. First of all this refers to failed efforts to create regional energy security system, based on respective institutions and legal framework, by reason of unwillingness of the EU to respect the Russian standpoint as an exporter of energy resources. As a result, there is a legal vacuum today in energy cooperation between Russia and the EU, which they failed to fill. The current political crisis in Europe, which is caused by accession of the Republic of Crimea to the Russian Federation and events in Ukraine, has aggravated long-standing problems of energy partnership EU-Russia. At the same time active EU policy on diversification of energy sources and supply routes discredits peculiar role of Russia as EU key energy supplier. These factors have triggered a significant revision of Russian interests in favor of eastern direction. A new promising contract with China on 21 May 2014 and memorandum with Turkey on 1 December 2014 are the milestones of the present Russian eastern policy. Both contracts can disrupt power balance on the global energy market. The article deals with background and causes for the present Russian eastern activity.

In recent years there has been brewing up a necessity in Russia to change direction of its external energy policy radically as a result of unconstructive and hugely politically charged approach of the EU - main and traditional partner of Russia - to settlement of fundamental issues in bilateral cooperation. First of all this refers to failed efforts to create regional energy security system, based on respective institutions and legal framework, by reason of unwillingness of the EU to respect the Russian standpoint as an exporter of energy resources. As a result, there is a legal vacuum today in energy cooperation between Russia and the EU, which they failed to fill. The current political crisis in Europe, which is caused by accession of the Republic of Crimea to the Russian Federation and events in Ukraine, has aggravated long-standing problems of energy partnership EU-Russia. At the same time active EU policy on diversification of energy sources and supply routes discredits peculiar role of Russia as EU key energy supplier. These factors have triggered a significant revision of Russian interests in favor of eastern direction. A new promising contract with China on 21 May 2014 and memorandum with Turkey on 1 December 2014 are the milestones of the present Russian eastern policy. Both contracts can disrupt power balance on the global energy market. The article deals with background and causes for the present Russian eastern activity.

With the signing of the Moscow Treaty in 1970 between the Soviet Union and West Germany, a new period in Soviet-German relations began. This phenomenon was made possible by two factors: the strengthening of Brezhnev's power and the election of Willy Brandt as Chancellor of West Germany. This article identified the importance of the personal relationship between the two politicians in the transition from a policy of harsh confrontation during the Cold War to a policy of détente and economic cooperation in the form of an energy dialogue from 1970 to 1973. Against the background of current events, the author poses the question of why the two politicians were unable to agree to a policy against the backdrop of the perceived ideological antagonism between the capitalist and socialist systems. This article also considers how the relationship between the two men affected the development of economic cooperation between the two countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyzes the development of EU — Russia energy relations through the lens of the evolution of three parameters: the political agenda (the Energy Dialogue), the institutional structure, and the legal modalities. The identification of these three aspects for assessing the evolution of EU — Russia energy relations is the novelty in the author’s approach. This study aims to identify the previous stages and assess the current state of EU — Russia energy dialogue, since they set out conditions for energy cooperation in the Baltic Sea region. This research is based on a political and legal analysis of various documents and employs various international relations theories (including integration theories). The article demonstrates that the EU nd Russia have made a transition to the integration agenda manifested in the Energy Dialogue (its current goal is the creation of a common European energy market). The author describes the process of gradual consolidation of transgovernmental and transnational institutions, which leads to depoliticization of cooperation and mutual socialization of the partners. Finally, legal discussions on the development of common rules have become more constructive. In sum, the current situation in EU — Russia energy relations is favourable and positively affects cooperation in the Baltic Sea region.

The article analyzes the development of EU — Russia energy relations through the lens of the evolution of three parameters: the political agenda (the Energy Dialogue), the institutional structure, and the legal modalities. The identification of these three aspects for assessing the evolution of EU-Russia energy relations is the novelty in the author’s approach. This study aims to identify the previous stages and assess the current state of EU — Russia energy dialogue, since they set out conditions for energy cooperation in the Baltic Sea region. This research is based on a political and legal analysis of various documents and employs various international relations theories (including integration theories). The article demonstrates that the EU and Russia have made a transition to the integration agenda manifested in the Energy Dialogue (its current goal is the creation of a common European energy market). The author describes the process of gradual consolidation of transgovernmental and transnational institutions, which leads to depoliticization of cooperation and mutual socialization of the partners. Finally, legal discussions on the development of common rules have become more constructive. In sum, the current situation in EU — Russia energy relations is favourable and positively affects cooperation in the Baltic Sea region.

This article presents comparative analysis across time of the European Union (EU) and India in energy affairs. Yet, while there have been a number of signed agreements and completed negotiations, the actual achievements of the dialogue in energy matters are still questionable. This article focuses on how two leading Indian newspapers ( The Times of India and The Economic Times) represented India's dialogue with the EU. The three frames of sustainability, competitiveness and security of supply were traced in three peak time periods: (i) the Joint Declaration of Enhanced Energy Cooperation February 2012, (ii) the Doha Climate Change Conference in 2012 and (iii) the Warsaw Climate Change Conference in 2013. The analysis is guided by two questions: (i) whether the EU is recognised as a 'normative' power in the Indian influential press and (ii) whether Indian perceptions of the EU's 'normative' power in energy framework have changed over time? The findings highlight the perceptions of the dynamics of EU cooperation with India in the energy field. Manners' analysis of the EU's 'core' and 'minor' norms provides a valuable perspective to analyse the EU's international identity in energy affairs with external partners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the contribution of Russia in ensuring security of global energy and as the main supplier of energy resources in European and Asian markets. Topics include the need for investment to the country's modern energy technology, fuel, and energy complex, the use of foreign policy in securing national energy interests, and the problems associated with foreign energy policy.