The reflection of Germany-Russia relations on the EU energy policy in context of neo-classical realist theory

The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between Russia and Germany in terms of energy within the scope of neoclassical realist theory and to reveal that this relationship has a negative effect on the EU energy policies. In this context, when the relationship between Russia and Germany were analyzed at the level of leaders and states, it has been noted that the relationship between two states, as a consequence of the findings inferred from the dialogues between Vladimir Putin and Angela Merkel, is more advanced than the other actors on the basis of common historical interaction, strategic cultural, values and beliefs. It has been concluded that particularly Germany, being the founder and ebracing the leader role of the EU has placed its bilateral relations with Russia in the field of energy at the forefront when compared to establishing a common foreign energy policy in the EU in terms of its impact on the foregin polici decisions of both countries. Furthermore, EU energy law does not have adequate regulations leaving legal gaps and this makes Russia likely to succeed in its discriminatory policies against other member countries of the EU and to improve its relationsihp with Germany by taking the advantage of these gaps. Russia, as the biggest natural gas supplier for the EU, frequently holds its power as a strategic foreign policy over the importer countries whenever it perceives danger in an international environment and this constitutes a major problem in terms of energy supply of the union. Thus, the effect of mutual asymmetric dependence in Germany-Russia relationship arising energy needs from individual needs rather than a systemic necessity has reflected negatively on Germany-EU relationship. Asa conclusion, it was revealed that the energy companies with their leader images and perceptions among the unit-level variables of neoclassical realism played a signicint role in terms of establishing and leading the foreign policy outcomes of the states.