Pipeline Politics between Europe and Russia: A Historical Review from the Cold War to the Post-Cold War
Journal: The Korean Journal of International Studies
Year: 2016

This paper conducts a historical survey of bilateral energy transactions during the Cold War and the early years of the post-Cold War period to uncover the origins of today's pipeline politics between Europe and Russia. Gas pipelines from Russia to Europe are doubly perceived as a symbol of Russia's status as an energy superpower and Europe's dependence on Russian supply. Fears of a Soviet/Russian 'energy weapon' date back to the beginning of East-West energy transactions, but the concept always