21Received 10.08.2024. Revised 04.12.2024. Accepted 06.12.2024.
Abstract. The article analyzes the features of Russia’s interaction with the states of the South Caucasus (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia) in the gas transportation sector. The study of the structure of the markets of the South Caucasian republics allowed us to determine the share of natural gas supplied from Russia, to assess the problems and prospects for further supplies. In recent years, there has been an increase in imports of Russian natural gas to the states of the region, which is caused by both economic and some geopolitical reasons, the identification of which is the purpose of this article. Russian natural gas is exported to the states of the South Caucasus via two gas pipelines – North Caucasus – Transcaucasia (Russia–Georgia–Armenia, Mozdok–Tbilisi–Yerevan) and Baku–Novo-Filya (Russia–Azerbaijan). The study of the characteristics of these gas pipelines allowed us to most comprehensively assess the possibilities of developing gas transportation communications between Russia and the states of the region. In the same context, we should consider the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline, which, although geographically has no outlet on Russia, is nevertheless the property of the Russian state company Gazprom. The high transit potential of the South Caucasus facilitates the development of gas transportation infrastructures here, aimed at forming international energy corridors North–South and East–West, which is today significantly hampered by the unresolved nature of a number of military and political conflicts in the region. At the same time, Russia’s interaction with the states of the South Caucasus in the energy and, in particular, gas transportation spheres demonstrates sensitivity to geopolitical processes, which is natural, given the dynamically changing security architecture of the region and attempts of a number of extra-regional actors, including the U.S. and the EU to increase their influence in the region. This dictates the need for Russia and the South Caucasus states to develop a strategy of energy diplomacy aimed at creating sustainable and secure gas transportation communications.
Keywords: South Caucasus, Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, natural gas, energy security geopolitics
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