Threats and Challenges to the Visegrad Four Energy Security in the Context of the “Nord Stream-2” Gas Pipeline Realization: Determinations for Ukraine (Research Article)

2019;
: 30-35
https://doi.org/10.23939/shv2019.01.030
Revised: March 18, 2019
Accepted: April 18, 2019
1
Lviv Polytechnic National University
2
Lviv Polytechnic National University

         The energy security state of the Visegrad Group member states in the context of the implementation of the “Nord Stream-2” gas pipeline has been analyzed. The Visegrad Four countries positions regarding the realization of the gas project initiated by the Russian Federation have been considered. It has been clarified that the “Nord Stream-2” pipeline construction is a threat to energy security not only for the Visegrad States but also for the European Union. Ukraine will lose both the revenue from the transit of natural gas and also geopolitical leverage, with the commissioning of this project.

“Nord Stream-2” is a challenge for both the Energy Union and the concept of a single voice in EU energy policy, as it contributes to the split between the Association member states positions.

 It has been concluded that “Nord Stream-2” is not only a business project in the reference frame; Russian projects of gas streams have the additional dimensions of corruption, in particular, and of military influence mainly. It completely falls within the polyhebression technology – the multifrontal, multidimensional aggression of the hybrid type carrying out by the Russian Federation against Ukraine and the West, using non-military tools, among other things. The prospect for the Visegrad Group countries energy security is the Polish project “Northern Gate”, which provides for the possibility of the withdrawal of Norwegian gas to Central Europe. This project is lobbied by the V4 as it meets the strategic interests of the organization and the EU Energy Community, including Ukraine.

         “Beyond gas” – energy security issues in the V4 after 2020. (October, 2018). Final Synthesis Report. 101 р. Retrieved from http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:XrH61apPEGEJ:www.am...

         Burgomistrenko, A. & Gonchar, M. (October, 2018). Offshore gas infrastructure in the Russian counteraction to NATO on the eastern flank: potential for a hybrid use in the Black and Baltic seas. [In Ukrainian]. Centre for Global Studies ‘Strategy XXI’. Kyiv. 24 p. Retrieved from: https://ukraine-office.eu/offshore-gas-infrastructure-in-the-russian-cou...

         Dick, A. (2013). Energy Security in Central and Eastern Europe: A Unified Approach. [In Ukrainian]. Institute for Economic Research and Policy Consulting: Report. Retrieved from https://think.visegradfund.org/brussels-office/

         Dinsdale, C. & Laco, P. (December, 2009). How the V4 can cooperate to overcome energy challenges. Slovak Spectator. Retrieved from https://spectator.sme.sk/c/20034723/how-the-v4-can-cooperate-to-overcome...

         Kuhaleishvili, G. (2018). Orban Gas intrigue: How Hungary plays in contradictions between Russia and the US. 112.ua. Retrieved from https://ua.112.ua/statji/hazova-intryha-orbana-yak-uhorshchyna-hraie-na-superechnostiakh-rosii-i-ssha-432770.html

         Maksak, G. (2018a). Security cooperation V4 + Ukraine: the boundaries of possible. Ukrainian prism: Foreign Policy Council. Retrieved from http://prismua.org/v4ukraine-security-cooperation-limits-possible-ukrainian-perspective/

         Maksak, G. (2018b). How to Further Build Ukraine’s Cooperation with the Visegrad Countries. Ukrainian prism: foreign policy council. Retrieved from http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:dSHvHEaMGkQJ:prismua.org/ua/%25D1%258F%25D0%25BA-%2

         Mudriyevska, I. (2016). State and prospects of Ukraine cooperation with the countries of the Visegrad Group in the energy sector. [In Ukrainian]. Eminak, № 2(3), 65-72. Retrieved from http://bnbuv.gov.ua/UJRN/ eminak_2016_2%283%29__13, s. 28

Prokopchuk, S. (2017). Energy security is a challenge for Ukraine. That is where the bomb of the slow action is! UKRINFORM. Retrieved from https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-economy/2175992-energeticna-bezpeka-vikl...

         Slobodian, N. & Theisen, N. (2016). Single gas market and energy security in the Visegrad states: models, challenges and perspectives. Report The National Centre for Strategic Studies. Warsaw. 46 p. Retrieved from http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:4qcVx1-_8cAJ Slobodian, N. (November, 2016). Direct access of a new source of gas would be a game-changer on the V4 markets. Visegrad insight. Retrieved from: http://visegradinsight.eu/energy-security-in-v4/

         Slovak President on «North Stream-2»: This is an exclusively political (23 lystopada, 2018). Gordon.ua. Retrieved from: https://gordonua.com/ukr/news/politics/-prezident-slovachchini-pro-pivnichnomu-pototsi-2-tse-vikljuchno-politichnij-proekt-528176.html

         “Subsequently - Baltika, and then Poland”:  the Ministry of Defense calls on Europe not to support Putin (2019). Uazmi. Retrived from https://uazmi.org/news/post/gcQipUSYs53feMKi2hnzzg

    Yeremica, V. (2018). “North-Stream 2”: Diplomacy for and against. Radio Svoboda. Retrieved from: https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/29087344.html