The impact of energy on interdependence in Turkey-Russia relations

This study traces the interdependence relations between Türkiye and Russia from the past to the present, centred on their energy relations and cooperation. The study is based on the importance of energy in the interdependence relationship and the crisis and opportunity areas that determine it. When the historical process is analysed, it is seen that Türkiye-Russia energy relations have followed a fluctuating course. However, in recent years, there has been a great progress in energy relations between Türkiye and Russia. Especially in the field of natural gas trade, certain agreements and important projects have been signed, with the Blue Stream Pipeline and the Turkish Stream Pipeline being prominent examples. Another example of deepening energy cooperation is the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant being built in Türkiye. Such co-operation has contributed to the economic interests of both countries. In the process, Türkiye's dependence on Russian gas to meet its energy needs has increased, while Russia has been able to expand its market. While Turkey has transformed its role as an energy corridor into an energy distribution centre, Russia has started to see Türkiye as an important partner in solving the energy supply problem that emerged especially after the Ukraine war. However, energy, which constitutes the basic dynamic of this relationship, has turned into an asymmetric dimension from time to time and political tensions have been heavily affected by this situation. In inter-state relations, it is observed that each state needs other states in various fields. These needs, which can be mentioned in different dimensions such as economic, political and security, shape the interaction of states with each other and this leads to the concept of interdependence. Robert Keohane, Joseph Nye and Richard Newton Rosecrance have analysed the concept of interdependence in international relations from different perspectives. Interdependence, as one of the central concepts influential not only at the national level but also at the global level, is seen as a useful concept in many academic studies and in explaining political mechanisms. This study argues that the main dynamic of the interdependence relationship between Türkiye and Russia is energy cooperation. It is taken as a parameter that these partnerships are affected by strained political relations. In this framework, rather than determining a specific date range for the time period analysed in the thesis, the energy transmission lines and projects through which we trace the energy interdependence and the political tensions affecting their flow dynamics are taken as a basis. In this context, this study problematises the role of energy in Türkiye-Russia interdependence and the factors that influence it.