Energy and Natural Resources Policy of the Russian Federation: An International Relations Perspective

The Russian Federation's energy policy exemplifies a complex interplay of economic, geopolitical, and ideational objectives. Russia, a major global supplier of oil and natural gas, leverages its energy resources as strategic tools to influence energy-dependent states, particularly in Europe. This approach aligns with a Neorealist perspective, emphasizing Russia's strategy of entrenching energy dependencies to respond to a balance of threat, especially in response to Western sanctions following its annexation of Crimea and the conflict in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Neoliberal theories underscore cooperative aspects, highlighting Russia's partnerships with OPEC and alignment with China as stabilizing forces in an interconnected energy market. These partnerships mitigate the impact of sanctions and support Russia's sustained global influence, illustrating the stabilizing effects of economic interdependence. Constructivist interpretations further reveal Russia's identity as a resource-rich country, viewing energy policy as not only a geopolitical tool but a symbol of sovereignty and resilience within the international system. This paper thus aims to present a multidimensional analysis of Russia’s energy strategy, detailing how these intertwined theoretical frameworks would help to explain Russia's enduring role in global energy markets amidst shifting dynamics toward renewable energy and sustainability. The implications for countries, such as Türkiye, are significant, as the global order increasingly intertwines energy, economic resilience, and security concerns.