Examination of relations between Russia and former Soviet countries in the context of resource nationalism

Energy security can be defined as the uninterrupted supply of energy in a clean, sustainable, inexpensive and various ways. In the realist theory, it has been seen as the duty of states to ensure energy security. The concept of natural resource nationalism, which is used by realist theory to conceptualize energy security, is defined as the use of resources by resource-owning states as a means of pressure, control and threat on states that do not have resources. Considering the international importance of energy motivation and energy security, it is stated that resource-owning states that develop policies and strategies on the basis of natural resource nationalism create an energy insecurity. One of the best examples of this situation is seen as the Russian Federation, especially after the Ukrainian gas crisis in 2006. It should be noted that Russia has the aim of keeping the states in the former Soviet geography under its control through actions such as state control over natural resources and transmission lines, cuts in energy supply and price strategies. The hypothesis of the study is based on the fact that the Russian Federation keeps the post-Soviet countries under control and pressure, especially for energy resources. The study consists of two sections and three parts. The first section and the first part are devoted to the theoretical background and explain the issues of realism, security and energy security. In the second section, the second part is devoted to the geopolitical and geostrategic analysis of Eurasia and the former Soviet geography, and the resource availability on a regional basis, Russia's influence in the region, the energy transmission lines in the region and the energy potential of the region are discussed. The whole of the third part is devoted to the analysis of the energy relations of the post-Soviet countries with Russia on the basis of regions. In the conclusion part, the hypothesis of the study was discussed as a result of the findings and the study was concluded. Together with a qualitative method, Turkish, English and Russian sources have been used in the study. Keywords: Energy Security, Russian Federation, Resource Nationalism, USSR, Realism