With the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia’s global political and economic influence has fallen precipitously. Vladimir Putin’s arrival to power in 2000 has noticeably improved Russia’s economic situation while changes in domestic and foreign policies were causes of much controversy and concern in both the former Soviet space and beyond. Russia continues to try to re-assert its former influence and regain lost loyalties in the former Soviet region. Unlike his predecessor, President Putin duly accepted an equal partnership with regional leaders, largely based on mutually beneficial cooperation. However, the policies of his government are heavily driven by the attempts to assert Russia’s influence, both economic and political, with deals and agreements that benefit Russia. One of Russia’s effective foreign policy tools is its vast energy resources. At a time when oil and gas have achieved record prices, accompanying worldwide growing demand for energy resources around the world, Russia has re-evaluated its energy policy and placed it at the forefront of its international relations. This paper attempts to assess the meaning of energy resources to Russia in terms of its foreign policy. Full report
