Nord Stream Projects as a Political Strategy: A Critical Analysis of German-Russian Relations
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52340/splogos.2025.02.22Keywords:
energy dependence, Germany–Russia relations, foreign policy, neoclassical realism, geopoliticsAbstract
This article analyzes the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipeline projects not merely as economic initiatives but as political strategies shaping the energy and foreign policy dynamics between Germany and Russia. It explores how energy infrastructure was utilized as a geopolitical instrument, creating both symbolic and structural dependence. The paper applies the theoretical lens of neoclassical realism, enabling an integrated analysis of domestic and international factors in state behavior. Despite being framed as commercial ventures, the pipelines served broader strategic goals. The war in Ukraine in 2022 marked a turning point, revealing the need for a fundamental reassessment of Germany’s energy policy and its geopolitical assumptions.
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References
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