Morena Skalamera's The Transformation of the Eurasian Gas Trade explores the logic, character, and scope of natural gas interdependence in Eurasia and its dramatic transformations since 1990. She explains how ideas, identities, and culture affect the Eurasian gas trade as gas interdependence has in some cases ameliorated conflict through its pacifying effects and at other times led to reactionary backlash, nationalist resentment, and more aggressive foreign policy. She argues that China's role in influencing domestic and international policy choices as a key trading and investment partner of the countries concerned makes it crucial for analyzing gas interdependence in the Eurasian region. Offering a deep, contextual analysis of how profit–power incentives intersect with historically-specific social, ideational and cultural factors, Skalamera reveals how reversals in the scale and scope of natural gas interdependence in the post-Soviet era can be better understood through domestically-driven shifts in dominant narratives.

‘Skalamera has written the most important and insightful explanation to date of the evolution of the Eurasian gas trade. In this book Skalamera demonstrates how the relationships among firms and governments, elites and mass publics, as well as narratives and structures, have fundamentally changed the ways in which natural gas is extracted, sold and transported. Skalamera deftly shows that the Russian–European and the Russian–Chinese energy relationships are not two different stories to be told: taken together, they compose one big story.'

Rawi Abdelal - Herbert F. Johnson Professor of International Management, Harvard Business School

‘This book offers a fascinating take on how ideas and narratives shape Eurasian gas relations as much as do profit and power. Authored by one of the most authoritative voices on Russia, Ukraine, China, the study is an indispensable source for anyone interested in understanding contemporary energy geopolitics across the post-Soviet space.'

Andreas C. Goldthau - Director, Willy Brandt School of Public Policy at the University of Erfurt

‘Skalamera masters both the economic and political dimensions of the Russia–Europe gas trade, showing the deep tension between economic interests (promoted by corporate actors) and identity narratives. Europeans expected Russia to accept European norms, but Moscow saw the trade as a tool to reassert Russian influence. These contrary understandings tragically culminated in Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.'

Peter Rutland - Professor of Government, Wesleyan University

‘Since Russia's war on Ukraine reached new heights in the spring of 2022, the global gas market has been fundamentally restructured to accommodate the loss of natural gas exports via pipeline from Russia to the EU. To understand President Putin's willful act of self-harm requires both an understanding of the history of Russia's gas relations with its neighbors and an appreciation of the complex networks of actors and interests that shape the changing dynamics of the Eurasian gas trade. This study seeks to explore the puzzling variations in the levels of interdependence over time and space. The vast resources of Russia's Eurasian gas heartland supported more than fifty years of gas trade with Europe and more recently have underwritten a pivot to Asia as new pipelines seek to supply China. At the same time, the collapse of the Soviet Union has resulted in a complex mixture of competition and cooperation with the post-Soviet states of Central Asia. This is being rewritten again in the context of Russia's loss of the EU market. The broad scope of this study embraces all these vectors of the Eurasian gas trade. The study is unique in delivering a comprehensive analysis in both historical and geographical terms. It brings together a novel theoretical approach and a wealth of empirical analysis to develop new insights into past motives and contemporary consequences. There are numerous studies that examine various dimensions of the Eurasian gas trade, but few provide such an all-embracing analysis that makes clear the connections and contradictions that defy simple explanation.'

Michael Bradshaw - Professor of Global Energy, Warwick Business School

‘This book provides crucial context for understanding Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Until the invasion, the natural gas trade was the centerpiece of relations between Europe and Russia. This topic has been neglected in recent years but is now more important to understand than ever and Skalamera's return to it is therefore very timely.'

Indra Øverland - Professor, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI), and Research Associate, Oxford Institute for Energy Studies (OIES)

‘This book provides an invaluable perspective on the transformation of Eurasian gas relations at a critical historical juncture. By linking domestic political contestation with international energy trade, Morena Skalamera offers a nuanced explanation for the dramatic reversals in EU–Russia gas relations and the rise of Russia–China energy ties. An indispensable resource for scholars, policymakers and practitioners grappling with the energy–security nexus.'

Vlado Vivoda - University of Queensland

‘Morena Skalamera demonstrates how shifts in ideas and narratives, not just pipelines and prices, explain the volatility of Eurasia's gas relations. This book reminds us that the geopolitics of energy is as much a battle over meaning and identity as it is over molecules. A deeply original contribution to the study of international political economy.'

Thijs Van de Graaf - Associate Professor of International Politics, Ghent University