Nord Stream 2 and the Power of Siberia: What are the Stakes in Russia's Recent Natural Gas Pipeline Policies?

Abstract

How does the history of Russia's complex energy politics influence perceptions of its recent natural gas pipeline policies? The goal of this paper is to examine how Russia's gas route diversification is being impacted by broader geopolitical questions. A case study of two massive Russian-backed energy megaprojects, Nord Stream 2 and the Power of Siberia pipelines, aimed at delivering natural gas to the heart of Europe and China respectively. As Nord Stream is technically designed to bypass a number of transit countries coupled with an EU divided on the project, the Power of Siberia project presents an alternative track for extending Russia's commercial partnership with Asia. This paper asserts that while critics are concerned about the implications of Russia's diversification objectives, the differences in strategic thinking aside, the pipelines will actually have no discernable impact on Moscow's foreign policy.