Russia's Energy Policy in Central Asia

World powers are paying increasing attention to energy transfer routes to European and Asian markets through former republics of the Soviet Union as a result of rising global energy demand and emergence of Russia as the 21st century’s “energy superpower.” Energy is central for growth and economic development of Russia. Russia''s revenues from energy exports have given it increasing clout in international politics. Energy is currently an important factor shaping Russia’s foreign relations. On the one hand، Moscow needs Central Asian gas to make up for shortage of energy production in West Siberia. On the other hand، Central Asian countries are the main route of oil and gas transfer out of that region. Massive oil and gas reserves of Central Asia can help Russia maintain its supremacy in the Eurasian energy market. The main question of this paper is “What are Russia’s energy policy tools in Central Asia?” The authors presume that Russia needs to regain control over energy sector of the Central Asian countries in order to promote its international standing using energy leverage.