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From Interdependence to Vulnerability - EU Energy Policy and the Geopolitical Shock of Crimea

Jonsson, Eskil LU (2026) EOSK12 20261
Department of Economic History
Abstract
The thesis examines how the European Union’s approach to external energy dependence developed during
the beginning of the 21st century, with particular focus on the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014 as a
potential critical juncture. Using a historical institutionalist framework, the study analyzes three key EU
strategy documents through qualitative document analysis and process tracing. The findings suggest that
concerns regarding energy security and external dependence existed before 2014, but that the Crimea crisis
was an important step in intensifying and accelerating the institutional prioritization of energy security
within EU policy. Rather than representing a complete policy shift, the annexation of Crimea could have
... (More)
The thesis examines how the European Union’s approach to external energy dependence developed during
the beginning of the 21st century, with particular focus on the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014 as a
potential critical juncture. Using a historical institutionalist framework, the study analyzes three key EU
strategy documents through qualitative document analysis and process tracing. The findings suggest that
concerns regarding energy security and external dependence existed before 2014, but that the Crimea crisis
was an important step in intensifying and accelerating the institutional prioritization of energy security
within EU policy. Rather than representing a complete policy shift, the annexation of Crimea could have
reinforced ongoing developments toward a more geopolitical understanding of energy dependence and
security within the European Union. The thesis further highlights the importance of geopolitical events in
shaping the strategic orientation of EU energy governance. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Jonsson, Eskil LU
supervisor
organization
course
EOSK12 20261
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
EU energy policy
language
English
id
9243527
date added to LUP
2026-09-07 13:49:57
date last changed
2026-09-07 13:49:57
@misc{9243527,
  abstract     = {{The thesis examines how the European Union’s approach to external energy dependence developed during
the beginning of the 21st century, with particular focus on the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014 as a
potential critical juncture. Using a historical institutionalist framework, the study analyzes three key EU
strategy documents through qualitative document analysis and process tracing. The findings suggest that
concerns regarding energy security and external dependence existed before 2014, but that the Crimea crisis
was an important step in intensifying and accelerating the institutional prioritization of energy security
within EU policy. Rather than representing a complete policy shift, the annexation of Crimea could have
reinforced ongoing developments toward a more geopolitical understanding of energy dependence and
security within the European Union. The thesis further highlights the importance of geopolitical events in
shaping the strategic orientation of EU energy governance.}},
  author       = {{Jonsson, Eskil}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{From Interdependence to Vulnerability - EU Energy Policy and the Geopolitical Shock of Crimea}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}