In the area of energy and big politics, the same laws often apply. One of the main ones is the law of conservation of common sense, which is no less important than the law of conservation of energy. And it should become the basis of the state policy of Ukraine.
The construction of Nord Stream 2 has reached its final stage, but the political struggle against this embodiment of Russia’s ambitions continues. Ukraine, as the leading European gas transit country, is interested in maintaining this status despite the confrontation with its exporter, Russia. The use of the Ukrainian gas pipeline by Gazprom gives reason to hope for some restraint by Russia.
Let me remind you that Russia is not only trying to complete the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline at any cost but also uses various areas of energy for political pressure. At one time it was the supply of coal from Kremlin-controlled territories in Ukraine. There were other cases as well. They all need a coherent and transparent public policy. They need more than the emotional statements of Volodymyr Zelensky, who sharply criticized Joseph Biden for easing sanctions against Nord Stream 2.
Ukraine is in a situation where it cannot afford double standards. It is possible and necessary to appeal to allies when there is confidence in the steadfastness of own position. Unfortunately, we can’t brag about that. And this is the case when the United States’ good understanding of Ukrainian realities plays against us.
Let me remind you that Ukraine imported Russian electricity from October 2019 to April 2020. It was during this period that the sanctions of the Donald Trump administration stopped the construction of Nord Stream 2, forcing Gazprom to look for ways to get around them.
However, in January-May 2021, Ukraine imports electricity again, this time not only from Russia but also from the Astravets Nuclear Power Plant built by Rosatom in Belarus. Belarus’s European Union neighbors have refused to buy the electricity it produces. The reason is that the nuclear power plant was built with a loan from Rosatom and uses Russian reactors and nuclear fuel. That is, they refused to oppose Russian energy weapons, that is, they act diametrically opposite to how Ukraine acts in the example of electricity imports.
In early June, the NKREKP (National Commission for State Regulation in the Field of Energy and Utilities) has banned the purchase of electricity in Belarus and Russia until Oct. 1, 2021, as if by that time Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin will have become Democrats (simply put, imports are likely to resume in October).
Washington well understands the monopolistic nature of Zelensky’s power, the concentration in his hands of control not only over the parliamentary mono-majority but also over the executive branch. There are no illusions about this overseas. Therefore, the actions of the NKREKP effectively undermine Ukraine’s foreign policy events. And this is seen not only in the United States – their position was outlined by Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a visit to Kyiv in early May. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda has called for an end to the purchase of electricity in Belarus from the rostrum of the Verkhovna Rada). Matti Maasikas, head of the European Commission delegation, did not hide his disappointment with Ukraine’s actions in the wholesale electricity market. And this is another alarming signal.
European and Euro-Atlantic integration is not about achieving the wow effect, but about being able to meet NATO and EU requirements. Both legal requirements and rules of conduct within these powerful alliances. And the sooner this is understood in Ukraine, the more effective our integration efforts will be.
Yevhen Mahda is the director of the Institute of World Policy in Kyiv.
