On October 11, the Veza Public Analytics Center hosted an interview with Vadym Denysenko, head of the Dilyova Stolitsa think tank and an expert in Russian economics and politics. The discussion centered on Russia’s energy war against Ukraine, its historical background, and current global geopolitical trends.
Denysenko emphasized that the energy war between Ukraine and Russia began in 1992 when Russians tried to stop Ukrainian nuclear power plants by blocking the export of spent nuclear fuel. The modern phase of the conflict involves a gas war whose goal is not only to pressure Ukraine, but also to make Europe reconsider its sanctions policy.
After recent attacks on Ukraine’s gas sector, gas supply issues have become critical: Ukraine now needs more gas imports from Europe, which could raise prices and create new challenges for Europeans. Denysenko explained that Russia’s logic is to maintain its presence in the European market by mixing “Azerbaijani” and Russian gas and keeping a foothold for future influence.
The expert also noted the role of the US, which seeks to fully oust Russia from Europe’s energy market by 2027, and China, which is engaged in a trade and technology war with the US as it competes for the EU market. Special attention was given to the Zangezur Corridor and its impact on transport and energy routes between Asia, Europe, and Russia.
Denysenko concluded that energy events should be viewed in a broader international context, not just as a Ukraine-Russia standoff, since influence over the world's largest and most lucrative market is at stake.
