A critical evaluation of the securitisation process of EU-Russia energy relations: actors, audiences, and consequences

Russia started to export hydrocarbons to Western Europe in the middle of the Cold War, and for a long time, despite their ideological differences, Russia was considered to be a reliable energy supplier. Starting from the early 2000s, EU-Russia energy relations were transformed from a mainly economic dimension to a political one. Currently, energy trade is seen as part of national security for both Russia and the European Union (EU). The central question of this study: is how EU-Russia energy relations have become highly securitised? This thesis approaches this problem from the perspective of a critical reading of securitisation theory. Following Balzacq (2005) and Fierke (2007), the securitisation process is de-constructed into the follows elements: securitisation actors (in Russia and in the EU), the speech act (negotiation of energy security to the audience), context of securitising (economic, political, and cultural), the consequences of securitisation, and the potential for de-securitisation. The thesis applies combination of quantitative and qualitative methods for data collection and analysis. The thesis uses an interpretive constructivist account and a methodology which integrates that theory with the specific methods of inquiry. It uses some quantitative analysis, but rests primarily on a qualitative approach consistent with its roots in the Critical Security Studies (CSS) literature

The Future of EU-Russia Energy Relations in the Context of Decarbonisation

In 2013, there was a joint commitment to “long term strategic EU-Russia energy cooperation”.1 Whilst centred on oil and gas, it is noted that “the importance of renewables for EU-Russia energy relations should grow too”,2 and that for energy efficiency, “cooperation potential is immense and could… contribute to the objective of a Pan-European energy area”.3 Given this shared objective, this article analyses EU and Russian energy decarbonisation policy objectives and considers the potential for a supplementary trade relationship based on renewable energy flows and decarbonisation-related technology, as well as the implications for existing energy trade. Despite declarative statements of mutual interest, shared objectives and cooperation in decarbonisation policy, there has been very limited cooperation by early 2016. The EU has set ambitious plans to decarbonise its economy and energy sector by 2050. However, in Russia energy policy is dominated by hydrocarbon exports, decarbonisation targets are modest, and there are major problems with their implementation. The drivers of EU and Russian energy policies are evaluated, and the argument advanced is that different understandings of energy security and types of energy governance provide major obstacles to decarbonisation cooperation and trade. However, it is argued that ideas about energy policy and security are contested and subject to change and there exists significant potential for mutual gain and cooperation in the longer term

The Arctic in the political discourse of Russian leaders: the national pride and economic ambitions

This article explores how Arctic policy is presented in Russian political narratives. This is achieved through the discourse analysis of 109 official documents published within a seven-year timeframe (2008–2015) on the official website of the Russian President. The article argues that Russian leaders emphasise the state’s geographical location and significant contribution to historical exploration and environmental protection of the region to frame Russia as an “Arctic Great Power” which has natural rights to possess and utilise the Arctic’s abundant resources. The logic of “our Arctic, our rules” can justify any necessary sacrifices, and the assertive policy of the state. However, this discursive representation of the Russian Arctic does not correlate with the reality of the country’s current interests in international cooperation and its willingness to “play by the rules”

Taloe-Sedimentation in an Intermittent Lake (Russian Federation, Republic of Khakassia)

This paper examines the mineral and geochemical features of lake sediments and waters in intermittent Lake Taloe, located in a semiarid climate. Minerals that belong to groups of oxides, sulfides, aluminosilicates, carbonates, sulfates, and halides are identified through the use of precision methods. The resulting mineral species are divided by genetic features into two associations: terrigenous and hydrogenic. The terrigenous association includes water-insoluble minerals, while the hydrogenic association combines typical hydrogenic minerals. The regularities of the accumulation and distribution of minerals along the lake laterally and to a depth of up to one meter are also examined. The order of deposition of hydrogenous association minerals from sulfate-chloride lake waters was established. The obtained results are confirmed and supplemented by physicochemical calculations, which show the equilibrium of lake waters with hydroxides, oxides, aluminosilicates, carbonates, and sulfates. It has been established that the formation of minerals mainly occurs through evaporative concentration in conjunction with bedrock weathering

Taloe—Sedimentation in an Intermittent Lake (Russian Federation, Republic of Khakassia)

This paper examines the mineral and geochemical features of lake sediments and waters in intermittent Lake Taloe, located in a semiarid climate. Minerals that belong to groups of oxides, sulfides, aluminosilicates, carbonates, sulfates, and halides are identified through the use of precision methods. The resulting mineral species are divided by genetic features into two associations: terrigenous and hydrogenic. The terrigenous association includes water-insoluble minerals, while the hydrogenic association combines typical hydrogenic minerals. The regularities of the accumulation and distribution of minerals along the lake laterally and to a depth of up to one meter are also examined. The order of deposition of hydrogenous association minerals from sulfate-chloride lake waters was established. The obtained results are confirmed and supplemented by physicochemical calculations, which show the equilibrium of lake waters with hydroxides, oxides, aluminosilicates, carbonates, and sulfates. It has been established that the formation of minerals mainly occurs through evaporative concentration in conjunction with bedrock weathering

Mitochondria-Targeted Antioxidant SkQ1 Accelerates Maturation in Campbell Dwarf Hamsters (Phodopus campbelli)

The general question traditionally raised in studies of biological activity of mitochondria-targeted antioxidants of the SkQ group -whether SkQs can act as geroprotectors, i.e. whether SkQs have a positive effect on the fertile and the total lifespan It was found meanwhile that SkQ1, being the most effective compound of the group However, the effect of SkQ1 on the rate of sexual maturation in hamsters can be traced based on morphological characters showing the pace of postnatal development, indicators of sexual maturity. The results of this analysis are presented in this paper. We tested two working hypotheses. 1) SkQ1 positively affects growth and maturation of hamsters in litters after daily long-term treatment of their parents with SkQ1. 2) SkQ1 accelerates the onset of sexual maturity in female hamsters when they are treated with SkQ1 from 10 days of age. ISSN 0006-2979, Biochemistry (Moscow), 2014, Vol. 79, No. 10, pp. 1111-1116. © Pleiades Publishing, Ltd., 2014. Original Russian Text © K. A. Rogovin, A. M. Khrushcheva, O. N. Shekarova, M. V. Ushakova, V. N. Manskikh, N. Yu. Vasilieva, 2014, published in Biokhimiya, 2014, Vol. 79, No. 10, pp. 1367-1373 1111 Abbreviations: SkQ1, 10-(6′-plastoquinonyl)decyltriphenylphosphonium. * To whom correspondence should be addressed. Mitochondria-Targeted Antioxidant SkQ1 Accelerates Maturation in Campbell Dwar