Turbulent energy transformations in Central Europe: Nord Stream projects in the context of geopolitics

Abstract

The sabotage related to the Nord Stream pipelines does not only signify the Russo ‑Ukrainian War’s escalated realities and potential future risks, also tied to the energy security of supply, but in addition to traditional economic and energetic dilemmas, it also has a specific meaning in light of classic geopolitical concepts. Our study aims to highlight that the contradictions between the direct or indirect nation-state stakeholders, even nowadays, fit into the logic of the power plays illustrated in traditional geopolitical theories. And thus, the events related to the Nord Stream 2 project, as guiding principles, underline not only the energy relations of relevant international state actors appearing in the pipeline’s environment but also in the context of geopolitical positions and the structure of potential geopolitical transformations.