Asymmetric Interdependence
Ukraine’s Energy Relations with Russia after the Collapse of the Soviet Union
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
After the demise of the Soviet Union, natural gas trade between Ukraine and Russia was marked by conflict, particularly in the 2000s. Since Ukraine was dependent on natural gas from Russia and at the same time served as an important transit country, both sides had the potential to block supplies. Unlike in the oil trade, this led to several crises, which prompted both sides to disentangle their ties in this field. Russia shifted its gas exports to the Nord Stream and TurkStream pipelines, while Ukraine stopped importing natural gas from Russia. As both sides had lost their leverage, further gas crises were averted. Contrary to what is often claimed, the end of natural gas transit through Ukraine is not related to Russia’s large-scale attack in 2022.
(11-12/2025, pp. 247–266)