GEOPOLITICAL ASPECT OF THE CONTEMPORARY TRANSPORT AND GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION OF RUSSIA
https://doi.org/10.7868/S2587556618030020
Abstract
The paper presents the outcomes of a study on the transformation of the territorial organization of Russian transport in the post-Soviet period under the influence of its relations with neighboring countries. The changes ensuing from attempts to overcome “transport disruptions” mainly in the sphere of maritime, oil pipeline and gas pipeline transport have been revealed. Positive changes in the transport infrastructure, namely, the construction of new Russian main pipelines and seaports, which have made it possible to reduce Russia’s dependence on neighboring countries as well as negative changes, i.e. the construction of pipelines alternative for Russia, have been identified. Their qualitative and quantitative assessment is carried out. Their significance in Russia’s foreign policy is substantiated. Geographical directions of this transformation are singled out under the influence of the following factors: Russia’s desire to avoid the dictatorship of transit countries through which energy resources are exported; Russia’s struggle for transportation of gas and oil produced in the basin of the Caspian Sea; endeavor to transport oil and gas to the Asia-Pacific region. The successful experience in the multivariant implementation of the geopolitical interests pursued by the newly independent countries (Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan) through the creation of transport projects is noted. Emphasis is placed on changing geopolitical significance of Russia’s neighboring countries under the influence of the transformation taking place in the territorial organization of its transport (mainly pipeline) system: Turkey, Kazakhstan, China (increase in significance); Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine (decrease).
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Graphical Abstract
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1. Магистральные газо- и нефтепроводы, влияющие на формирование геополитического положения России, 2017 | |
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2. Gas and oil pipelines that affect geopolitical position of Russia, 2017 | |
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- One of the main transport and geographical problems in the post-Soviet space is the dependence of energy-exporters, including Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan, from transit-countries such as Lithuania, Latvia, Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia.
- An intention to reduce/exploit this dependence turns transport routes (mainly pipelines) and elements of transport infrastructure (mainly seaports) into one of the major foreign policy instruments of the post-soviet states.
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For citations:
Pototskaya T.I. GEOPOLITICAL ASPECT OF THE CONTEMPORARY TRANSPORT AND GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION OF RUSSIA. Izvestiya Rossiiskoi Akademii Nauk. Seriya Geograficheskaya. 2018;(3):5-17. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.7868/S2587556618030020
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