Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

EU political discourse on the energy security relations with Russia

  • Research
  • Published:
European Political Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The article explores the energy security relations of the European Union with the Russian Federation through the prism of the political discourse. It identifies key formations and topics related to the concept of security. Drawing on a detailed discourse analysis of 339 statements, interviews, speeches, press releases, and documents produced by EU political leaders and institutions, the article focuses on (a) the basic themes of EU political discourse on the energy security relations with Russia and (b) the perception of Russia by the European Union. The majority of the documents used in the article come from 2010 to 2019, the period of the second Barroso Commission and the Juncker Commission. At the theoretical level, the article is focused on the relationship between the main concept, political discourse, and security.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aalto, P. 2008. The EU–Russia Energy Dialogue and the Future of European Integration: From Economic to Politico-Normative Narratives. In The EU-Russian Energy Dialogue: Europe’s Future Energy Security, ed. P. Aalto, 23–42. Ashgate: University of Tampere.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aalto, P. (ed.). 2012. Russia´s Energy Policies. National, Interregional and Global Levels. Northampton: Edward Elgar Publishing Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alieva, L., and B. Aslanov. 2018. How Autocracy Impedes De-securitization, or Why Democracy Matters: The Case of Nagorno-Karabagh in the Eyes of Azerbaijanis. Caucasus Survey 6(3): 183–202.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ashton, C. 2012. Situation in Russia (Debate). Brussels: European Parliament.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ashton, C. 2014. Catherine Ashton Speech on EU Foreign and Security Policy to the European Parliament, 4 April.

  • Bahgat, G. 2006. Europe´s Energy Security: Challenges and Opportunities. International Affairs 82(5): 961–975.

    Google Scholar 

  • Balzacq, T., S. Léonard, and J. Ruzicka. 2016. ‘Securitization’ Revisited: Theory and Cases. International Relations 30(4): 494–531.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barroso, J. M. 2011. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso Give a News Conference Following the Meeting of the Russian Government and the EU Commission, 24 February.

  • Barroso, J. M. 2012a. EU-Russia Summit–President Barroso´s Main Messages, 21 December.

  • Barroso, J. M. 2012b. Empowering the World: Can Europe Bring an End to Energy Poverty in Our Lifetime? 16 April.

  • Barroso, J. M. 2014a. Speech by President Barroso at the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy University, 14 June.

  • Barroso, J. M. 2014b. The European Union in the New World Order, Yale School of Management, 21 September.

  • Barroso, J. M. 2014c. Remarks by President Barroso Following His Meeting with the Prime Minister of Estonia, Mr Taavi Rõivas, 28 May.

  • Birchfield, V.L., and J.S. Duffield (eds.). 2011. Toward a Common European Union Energy Policy. Problems, Progress, and Prospects. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Braun, V., and V. Clarke. 2006. Using Thematic Analysis in Psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology 3(2): 77–101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Braun, V., and V. Clarke. 2012. Thematic Analysis. In APA Handbook of Research Methods in Psychology, Vol. 2. Research Designs: Quantitative, Qualitative, Neuropsychological, and Biological, ed. H. Cooper et al., 57–71. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buzan, B., O. Waever, and J. De Wilde. 1997. Security: A New Framework for Analysis. Boulder: Lynne Rienner Publishers Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cañete, M. A. 2015a. EU-Energiekommissar Miguel Arias Cañete „Neue Leitungen sind wichtig. Handelsblatt, 10 March.

  • Cañete, M. A. 2015b. Commissioner Arias Cañete at the European Parliament Plenary: Opening and Concluding Remarks, 7 October 2015.

  • Cañete, M. A. 2015c. Speech by Commissioner Arias Cañete at the Gas Infrastructure Europe 13th Annual Conference, 23 April.

  • Cañete, M. A. 2015d. Speech of Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete at the Energy Union Conference in Riga, 6 February.

  • Cañete, M. A. 2017. ‘Eurokomisár Cañete: Plyn má potenciál v námornej a nákladnej doprave’ [Commissioner Cañete: Gas has the potential for maritime and freight transport], Euractiv.sk, 31 March.

  • Cañete, M. A. 2018. Speech by Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete at the 4th EU Energy Summit: International Geopolitical Uncertainties: Brakes or Accelerators for the EU Energy Transition? 12 April.

  • Cañete, M. A. 2019. Energy Union: Commission Welcomes Tonight’s Provisional Political Agreement to Ensure That Pipelines with Third Countries Comply with EU Gas Rules, 12 February.

  • Carta, Catherina., and Jean.-Frederic. Morin (eds.). 2014. EU Foreign Policy Through the Lens of Discourse Analysis. Making Sense of Diversity. Ashgate: University of Tampere.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dannreuther, R. 2016. EU-Russia Energy Relations in Context. Geopolitics 21(4): 913–921.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dias, V.A. 2013. The EU and Russia: Competing Discourses, Practices and Interests in the Shared Neighbourhood. Perspectives on European Politics and Society 14(2): 256–271.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ederer, M. 2017. ‘Posol ES: v otsenke otnosheniy s Rossiyey prichin dlya eyforii poka net’ [EU ambassador: there is no reason for euphoria in assessing relations with Russia], Ria Novosti, 21 December.

  • European Commission. 2014a. Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council. European Energy Security Strategy, COM (2014) 330 final, 28 May.

  • European Commission. 2014b. Energy Security: Commission Puts Forward Comprehensive Strategy to Strengthen Security of Supply, IP/14/606, 28 May.

  • European Commission. 2015a. State of the Energy Union 2015, COM (2015) 572 final, 18 November.

  • European Commission. 2015b. A Framework Strategy for a Resilient Energy Union with a Forward-Looking Climate Change Policy, COM(2015) 80 final, 25 February.

  • European Commission. 2017a. Commission Seeks a Mandate from Member States to Negotiate with Russia an Agreement on Nord Stream 2, 9 June.

  • European Commission. 2017b. Third Report on the State of the Energy Union, 27 November.

  • European Commission. 2018. Antitrust: Commission Imposes Binding Obligations on Gazprom to Enable Free Flow of Gas at Competitive Prices in Central and Eastern European Gas Markets, 24 May.

  • European Parliament. 2014. MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Situation in Ukraine and the State of Play of EU-Russia Relations (2014/2841(RSP)), 16 September.

  • European Parliament. 2016a. MEPs Voice Grave Concerns about Nord Stream 2 Project, Plenary Sessions, 10 May.

  • European Parliament. 2016b. The EU’s Russia Policy. Five Guiding Principles, Briefing, October.

  • European Parliament. 2018. The EU’s Russia Policy. Five Guiding Principles, Briefing, February.

  • Ferrara, Domenico. 2010. Rethinking EU-Russia Energy Relations: a Narrative/Discursive Approach. PEER CONFERENCE: Governing Energy between Europe and Russia, University of Warwick, 3rd–4th September.

  • Fierke, K.M. 2002. Links Across the Abyss: Language and Logic in International Relations. International Studies Quarterly 46(3): 331–354.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gariup, M. 2009. European Security Culture: Language, Theory, Policy. Ashgate: University of Tampere.

    Google Scholar 

  • Georgiou, N. A. and Rocco, A. 2017. Energy Governance in EU-Russia Energy Relations: Paving the Way Towards an Energy Union. Available at goo.gl/uWsgMJ, Accessed 1 May 2019.

  • Gilpin, R.G. 1984. The Richness of the Tradition of Political Realism. International Organization 38(2): 287–304.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goddard, A., and N. Carey. 2017. Discourse: The Basics. London and New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hansen, L. 2006. Security as Practice: Discourse Analysis and the Bosnian War. London and New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heinrich, A., and K. Szulecki. 2018. Energy Securitisation: Applying the Copenhagen School’s Framework to Energy. In Energy Security in Europe. Divergent Perceptions and Policy Challenges, ed. K. Szulecki, 33–60. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Javadi, M. and Zarea, K. 2016. Understanding Thematic Analysis and Its Pitfalls. Journal of Client Care. https://doi.org/10.15412/J.JCC.02010107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jewell, J., and E. Brutschin. 2019. The Politics of Energy Security. In The Oxford Handbook of Energy Politics, ed. K. Hancock and J. Allison. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnstone, B. 2018. Discourse Analysis (Introducing Linguistics). Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, R. 2016. Spoken Discourse. London: Bloomsbury Academic.

    Google Scholar 

  • Judge, A., and T. Maltby. 2017. European Energy Union? Caught Between Securitisation and “Riskification”. European Journal of International Security 2(2): 1–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Juncker, J.-C. 2016a. Speech by President Jean-Claude Juncker at the 20th Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum 2016, 16 June.

  • Juncker, J.-C. 2016b. Speech by President Jean-Claude Juncker to the Plenary Session of the European Parliament on the Result of the Referendum in the United Kingdom, 28 June.

  • Juncker, J.-C. 2018. EU-U.S. Joint Statement of 25 July: European Union Imports of U.S. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Are on the Rise, 9 August.

  • Kester, J. 2018. The Politics of Energy Security: Critical Security Studies, New Materialism and Governmentality. Abingdon and New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khasson, V. 2009. Discourses and Interests in EU-Russia Energy Relations. Leuven: Institute for International and European Policy, available at http://soc.kuleuven.be/web/files/11/74/WP35-Khasson.pdf. Accessed 1 December 2018.

  • Kratochvíl, P., and L. Tichý. 2013. EU and Russian discourse on energy relations. Energy Policy 44(5): 391–406.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kurze, K. 2010. The Changing Discourse of Energy Security. A New Impetus for Energy Policy Integration in the European Union. University of Osnabrueck: Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence in European Studies, available from: http://www.jmce.uni-osnabrueck.de/fileadmin/Download/EPS/TraPES.Kurze.pdf. Accessed 30 November 2018.

  • Kuteleva, A. 2018. Discursive Politics of Energy in EU–Russia Relations. Problems of Post-Communism. https://doi.org/10.1080/10758216.2018.152060.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuzemko, C. 2014. Ideas, Power and Change: Explaining EU–Russia Energy Relations. Journal of European Public Policy 21(1): 58–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Larsen, H. 1997. Foreign Policy and Discourse Analysis: France, Britain and Europe. London and New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maguire, M., and B. Delahunt. 2017. Doing a Thematic Analysis: A Practical, Step-by-Step Guide for Learning and Teaching Scholars. AISHE-J 9(3): 3351–33514.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marín-Quemada, J.M., J. García-Verdugo, and G. Escribano (eds.). 2012. Energy Security for the EU in the 21st Century. Markets, Geopolitics and Corridors. London and New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marocchi, T. 2017. EU-Russia Relations: Towards an Increasingly Geopolitical Paradigm, available at https://eu.boell.org/en/2017/07/03/eu-russia-relations-towards-increasingly-geopolitical-paradigm. Accessed 1 May 2019.

  • Mogherini, F. 2015. ‘Rebutting Controversy, EU Foreign Policy Chief Says Europe Is United on Russia’, CNN, 22 January.

  • Mogherini, F. 2017. Speech by Federica Mogherini at the Munich Security Conference, 18 February.

  • Mogherini, F. 2018. Speech by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini at the European Parliament Plenary Session on the New Agenda for EU-Central Asia Relations, 14 March.

  • Morgenthau, H., and K.W. Thompson. 1985. Politics Among Nations: The Struggle for Power and Peace. Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mortensen, D. 2019. How to Do a Thematic Analysis of User Interviews. Available at https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/article/how-to-do-a-thematic-analysis-ofuser-interviews. Accessed 1 May 2019.

  • Nowell, L.S., et al. 2017. Thematic Analysis: Striving to Meet the Trustworthiness Criteria. International Journal of Qualitative Methods 16(1): 1–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oettinger, G. 2010. Speech by Commissioner Oettinger at the Moscow International Energy Forum, 8 April.

  • Oettinger, G. 2011. Speech of Commissioner Oettinger at the South Stream Event, 25 May.

  • Oettinger, G. 2012. Energy Dialogue: Russia-European Union. Gas Aspects, 27 April.

  • Oettinger, G. 2013. A Transatlantic Energy Revolution: Europe´s Energy Diversification and US Unconventional Oil and Gas, 17 July.

  • Oettinger, G. 2014a. ‘Gas Is Not the Instrument of Politics’, Stuttgarter Zeitung, 24 March.

  • Oettinger, G. 2014b. ‘EU Wants Same Price for Russian Gas for All Its Members’, Euractiv, 2 May.

  • Oettinger, G. 2014c. ‘Oettinger: Nur kurzfristige Probleme durch Russland’ [Oettinger: Only short-term problems by Russia], DeutschlandFunk, 16 March.

  • Oettinger, G. 2014d. The European Energy Policy for 2020 and Beyond, 19 June.

  • Oxenstierna, S., and V.-P. Tynkkynen (eds.). 2014. Russian Energy and Security up to 2030. London and New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, N., and C. Hardy. 2002. Discourse Analysis: Investigating Processes of Social Construction. London: Sage Publication.

    Google Scholar 

  • Romanova, T. 2016. Is Russian Energy Policy towards the EU Only about Geopolitics? The Case of the Third Liberalisation Package. Geopolitics 21(4): 857–879.

    Google Scholar 

  • Šefčovič, M. 2014. Speech on Building a Euro Mediterranean Energy Bridge, High Level Conference, 18 November.

  • Šefčovič, M. 2015a. ‘„Wir suchen für Europa Alternativen zu russischem Gas“’ [„We are looking for alternatives to Russian gas for Europe“], Die Welt, 26 October.

  • Šefčovič, M. 2015b. ‘Sefcovic: The Commission Will Respond to Nord Stream’s Critics’, EURACTIV.com, 2 December.

  • Šefčovič, M. 2015c. Keynote Speech at the EU Energy Security Conference 2015 Organised by European Court of Auditors, 5 May.

  • Šefčovič, M. 2015d. Speech at the University of Malta, 9 November.

  • Šefčovič, M. 2016a. ‘Interview Maroš Šefčovič, EU VP Energy Union’, Energy Post Weekly, 7 October.

  • Šefčovič, M. 2016b. Speech by Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič on “Nord Stream II—Energy Union at the Crossroads”, 6 April.

  • Šefčovič, M. 2016c. Speech at the Ukraine Energy Forum in Kyiv: ”EU-UA Energy Partnership: What’s Achieved and What’s Next—An EU Perspective”, 1–3 March.

  • Šefčovič, M. 2016d. Maroš Šefčovič on the Energy Union and Its Role for Central and Southeastern Europe. Electromagazine, 29 June.

  • Šefčovič, M. 2017. Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič on the Significance of Trans-Atlantic Energy Cooperation between the EU and the US, 8 March.

  • Šefčovič, M. 2018a. Speech at the Conference ‘CEE Gas Gateway—Ukrainian Gas Transmission System Contribution to the Energy Security in Europe’ in Brussels, 25 May.

  • Šefčovič, M. 2018b. Statement by Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič on the opening of TANAP, 12 June.

  • Šefčovič, M. 2019. Statement by Vice-President for Energy Union Maroš Šefčovič following the trilateral talks with Russia and Ukraine on the future of gas transit via Ukraine, 21 January.

  • Siddi, M. 2018. Identities and Vulnerabilities: The Ukraine Crisis and the Securitisation of the EU-Russia Gas Trade. In Energy Security in Europe. Divergent Perceptions and Policy Challenges, ed. K. Szulecki, 251–273. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Szulecki, K. (ed.). 2018. Energy Security in Europe. Divergent Perceptions and Policy Challenges. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tichý, L. 2019a. EU-Russia Energy Relations: A Discursive Approach. Cham: Springe.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tichý, L. 2019b. The Diversification Discourse of Russia and Its Energy Relations with the EU. Asia Europe Journal 17(2): 179–193.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tichý, L., and P. Kratochvíl. 2014. The EU-Russia Energy Relations Under the Prism of the Political Discourse. Perspectives 22(1): 5–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tusk, D. 2015a. Address by President Donald Tusk at Die Europa-Rede, 10 November.

  • Tusk, D. 2015b. Remarks by President Donald Tusk after the First Session of the European Council Meeting, 19 March.

  • Tusk, D. 2016. Report by President Donald Tusk to the European Parliament on the European Council Meeting of 20–21 October 2016, 21 October.

  • Tusk, D. 2018. Report by President Donald Tusk to the European Parliament on December European Council Meetings, 16 January.

  • Ušackas, V. 2014a. Speech by the Head of the EU Delegation to Russia at a Seminar on EU-Russia Relations, 21 February.

  • Ušackas, V. 2014b. ‘Sankcii ES v otnoshenii Rossii’ [EU sanctions against Russia], Radio ECHO, 25 June.

  • Ušackas, V. 2014c. Priorities of the Greek Presidency of the Council and Debate on EU-Russia Relations, 19 February.

  • Ušackas, V. 2016a. ‘Vigaudas Ushatskas: resheniye ob otkaze ot “Yuzhnogo potoka” prinimal ne ES’ [Vigaudas Ušackas: the decision to abandon South Stream was not taken by the EU], Ria Novosti, 10 February.

  • Ušackas, V. 2016b. Speech by Vygaudas Ušackas, Ambassador of the European Union to the Russian Federation, at Panel Discussion “Russia and Europe: Economic Perspectives”, 13 January.

  • Valenzuela, M. F. 2012. ‘Predstoyashiy Sammit Rossija - ES. Vrucchenije Evropejskomu Sojuzu Nobelevskoj premii mira’ [The upcoming Russia-EU Summit. Presentation of the European Union Nobel Peace Prize], radio ECHO, 10 December.

  • Van Dijk, T.A. (ed.). 1997. Discourse as Structure and Process. London: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Rompuy, H. 2014a. Remarks by President Herman Van Rompuy at the Business Forum “EU and Czech Republic, Ten Years Together”, 30 April.

  • Van Rompuy, H. 2014b. Speech to the European Parliament Following the June 26–27 European Council, 2 July.

  • Waever, O. 1995. Securitization and Desecuritization. In On Security, ed. R. Lipschuts, 46–87. New York: Columbia University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waring, H.Z. 2017. Discourse Analysis: The Questions Discourse Analysts Ask and How They Answer Them. London and New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wisniewski, J. 2018. Securitizing European Energy Policy: Discourses of Energy Security in Germany, Poland and the UK. London and New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This work was supported by the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic [Grant number: 18-00902S] under the title “The Internal and External Dimension of the EU Actorness in the Energy Relations with Russia and Alternative Suppliers.”

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of International Relations Prague, Nerudova 3, 118 50, Prague 1, Czech Republic

    Lukáš Tichý

Authors
  1. Lukáš Tichý
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lukáš Tichý.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Tichý, L. EU political discourse on the energy security relations with Russia. Eur Polit Sci 19, 603–621 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41304-019-00229-x

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41304-019-00229-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation