Geo-economic Position of Russia in “Commonwealth of Independent States” (CIS), with Emphasis on the Role of Oil & Gas

Rich energy resources and transit through Russia in Commonwealth of Independent States have attracted the attention of regional and supra-regional power and it created tensions. Thus, the attempt to integrate the geo-economic space and integrate it with geopolitical games is interesting for Russian strategists in order to change the situation in favor of their policies. Considering the volume of energy reserves  of  Commonwealth of Independent States, Russia’s transit line will be extensive and the influence of Russian oil and gas companies on Commonwealth of Independent States is obvious through energy geo-economic strategy while ensuring mutual political economic security. There is a common interests between them, Of course, this issue is a geostrategic and geopolitical importance for Russia’s issue because Russia will achieve its goals, which are the expansion of economic and political hegemony, through oil and gas energy tools It forms a subset of geo-economic thinking.

The research method of this article is analytical-descriptive. The information was collected and translated using valid scientific- specialized articles from academic and research sites, also the concept of geo-economic thinking, the role of oil and gas energy and routes are explained. Transit in this region is assessed, according Russian’s  maintenance and monitoring the region in global level. Monitoring and intervention through geo-economic considerations are discussed too.

Competition over the control and supervision of oil and gas extraction centers and transition lines are an important factor for the hegemony of energy-owning countries. Meanwhile, rivalries and conflicts between Russia and foreign countries, especially those with oil and Gas energy reserves, over capacity building for investment and maximizing national-commercial interests have led to geopolitical conflicts by trans-regional countries and it caused the creation of new structures to improve infrastructure. It will affect trades and the movement of goods and services, as foreign countries in which do not have close access to ports and open waters, this will pave the way for new opportunities for Russia to remove such barriers.

Russia’s approach to foreign countries is nothing more than a fundamental change in its economy ,and it efforts to resolve local-regional problems and  conflicts. In this regard can involve the broad  participation of these countries. Russia and foreign countries are close to each other in economic-trade matters, and membership in alliances such as the shanghai cooperation Organization which has largely allayed Russia’s concerns about foreign influence, but the influence of the United States and its allies in the region couldn’t be ignored. However, it creates a security vacuum that could challenge Russia’s geo-economic goals.