Geopolitics of Energy Resources: Reconsidering Security at the Global Level

Abstract

The article analyses the impact of the russian-Ukrainian war on global energy markets as a trigger for rethinking the general context of energy security. Based on the latest scientific research, the author considers energy security issues' shifting from isolated aspects such as supply chain stability to an integrated geoeconomic approach. The article presents the factors that caused the national subjects' volatility regarding energy security depending on the energy market structure, relations between consumers and producers, supply and demand trends, technological changes, and readiness for potential energy supply crises or price shocks. The author's special attention is focused on the ties between energy resources and the military dimension, namely: 1) energy militarization as a cause of military actions; 2) energy resources as a secondary element of war; 3) energy profits as a source of financing armed conflicts. Against the background of increased strategic competition, most countries are leaning towards alternative spaces for developing joint political decisions, such as the friend-shoring concept, which signals a new form of protectionism for geopolitical reasons and the formation of potential chokepoints in supply chains. However, a transnational energy platform can catalyse the synergistic potential of allies, reduce security risks, and minimize supply disruptions due to political and economic influences. The success of a full-fledged launch of a transnational platform on energy security will depend on attractiveness strategies for "resourceful" but politically neutral countries; unification of production standards between participants; and the degree of reducing supply chain vulnerability relative to the participation costs.