Conflict areas affecting the energy security of the European Union: Ukraine-Russia, Iran and the Eastern Mediterranean

The European Union (EU), the world's second largest economic power, ranks third in global energy consumption after China and the USA. Due to the low reserves in oil and natural gas resources, the EU is dependent on foreign sources for these energy resources. The EU, which tries to be a single voice by following more consistent policies in the international system, is also trying to become a more active actor in the international system by reducing foreign dependency in energy and ensuring energy security. However, although these energy resources are located in geographies close to the EU, the unstable environment and crises in the supply and transit countries/regions create risks for EU energy security. For this reason, the policies followed by the EU towards crises can directly affect EU energy security. In this context,in this study the question of what is the effect of the EU's crisis-oriented policy on EU energy security has been tried to be answered. The research question was examined over Ukraine-Russia, Iran and the Eastern Mediterranean. This study revals that the EU's policy in the aforementioned crises varies according to its relationship with the country/region and whether it currently supplies energy. In addition, even if the implemented policy has a positive effect on the factors that should be given importance for energy security, it is doubtful that these effects will be permanent due to the continuing existence of the crises. For this reason, it is important for the EU to find permanent solutions for crises in order to ensure energy security and minimize these risks.