ABSTRACT
When international oil prices skyrocketed at the new millennium, Russia regained self-confidence with rapid economic growth after a catastrophic decade and a half. Accordingly, Moscow sought to elevate its international status by using energy resources as a ‘diplomatic weapon’ during the Vladimir Putin era. The very first paragraph of the Energy Strategy of Russia for the period up to 2020 (hereafter referred to as ES2020), published in August 2003, described Russia's mind-set on energy and diplomacy:
Russia has a considerable amount of energy resources and fuel-energy complex capability, which is a basis for economic development and implementation of domestic and foreign policies. The country's role in the global energy markets determines its geopolitical influence. [author's emphasis] 1
