Relationships between Russia and Ukraine in the Gas Market Research Paper

Relationships between Russia and Ukraine in the Gas Market - Research Paper Example This paper offers a comprehensive review of relationship between Russia and Ukraine in the energy sector. The bilateral economic and political conflicts between two countries that relate to the decisions and actions in the gas sector are under the review There are numerous contributions political and social scientists, the media and politicians that appear to insist on the fact that Russia leverages its position in the gas market to alter the internal affairs of other sovereign states. They claim that these nations are so internally manipulated by Russia that their foreign policy matches the interests of Russia. It is argued, that Russia formulates its foreign policy in line with the capacity of its energy, which it uses as a weapon. Many articles claim that Russia exploits its position as an energy superpower to manipulate political decisions of other nations. To study the real economic and political motivations of Russia’s energy policy regarding Ukraine, there is the need to disregard the initial understanding the media and academicians that assert that Russia exploits its position regarding oil to realize its political goals There is a need to investigate the bilateral economic and political conflicts that relate to the decisions and actions in the gas sector. The pricing mechanism used by Russia has also been the source of several disputes between Ukraine and Russia, which manifested as 2006, 2009 and 2014 gas rows. The argument seems to rest on the issue of determining the correct price for gas.