ABSTRACT
This chapter applies the first part of the theoretical model developed to analyse small EU member states’ external energy security preferences, and thus examines the relations between the examined countries and the Russian Federation as their main external energy supplier. The analysis shows considerable differences in the way the countriesʼ decision-makers perceive their countries’ ability to be a successful partner in these relations. On one end of the spectrum is Slovakia, whose decision-makers perceive their state’s ability to deal with the external challenge in terms of vulnerability; on the opposite end is Austria, whose relations with the Russian Federation are considered to be at a very high level. When it comes to the perception of its ability to deal with the external challenge, the Czech position is closer to the Austrian one; however, its attitude towards the Russian Federation is negative.
