Georgian-Russian Conflict and Its Influence on the Energy and Security Situation in the Black Sea – Caspian Region.

Abstract

In this article author analyzes the influence of the Russian-Georgiancrisis of August 2008 on the security and energy situation in the BlackSea region. The main threats and risks due to the Russian-Georgiancrisis 2008 in the Black Sea region may be considered as activation ofthe situation in the separatist regions of Moldova and Azerbaijan, securityof the transport routes, pipelines, energy resources supply fromthe Caspian basin. For Ukraine – complication of the relations withRussian Federation, aggravation of the Black Sea Fleet status problem,possibility to use South Ossetia Scenario in the Crimea, difficulties forthe realization of the “White Stream” Project. Author also considerspositions of the third parties in particularly the EU, Turkey, Armenia,Belarus and other CIS states and how the conflict touches their interestsand relations with parties to conflict. Events of August 2008demonstrated which mechanisms the Russian Federation is ready touse to prevent post-soviet states from the Euroatlantic integration.And the same time the conflict has demonstrated how six days crisis insuch interconnected and important region as the Wider Black Sea caninfluence and impact not only on the regional players and neighborsbut on the common European security and stability.