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Examining Russian Motives in Selling Energy

With Russian ascendancy to an energy powerhouse catering to the needs of an ever-more-dependent Europe, what influence will Russian oil have not only on the economies of Europe but the politics as well? Is Russia, with oil, buying influence in Western Europe or trying to buy off Western Europe so that Russia can do what it wishes with the former Eastern Bloc and Soviet states which are now part of the European Union or aspiring to membership?

There is no shortage of opinions on the matter on both sides of the Atlantic. There is actually very little room for skepticism given the nature of Russian regimes whether they are tsarist, Soviet or Putin-esque. Russia wants to have influence over its neighbors because it desires respect, and it desires security. Selling oil to countries like Germany, France, Ukraine and others is a way for Moscow to get leverage that will pay dividends in treaty negotiations and likely during world crises as well.

Still, there are many in Europe extremely wary of Russia?s gaining a preeminent role in European affairs, either through use of the oil tool or any other sort of method of gaining influence. Is Russia?s motivation in this regard malevolent? That might be the case, but in terms of economics Russia wants the ruble to be able to compete with the other powerful, and traded, currencies of the world. That Moscow seeks foreign exchange is a positive sign, but as Russia seemingly grows less free, the chances for the ruble might just get worse.