FROM GAS CRISES TO WAR WITH RUSSIA FEDERATION. THE ROLE OF UKRAINE IN ENSURING ENERGY SECURITY OF POLAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE COUNTRIES

Abstract

Central Europe has been a key arena for the Law and Justice party foreign policy activity, driven by the belief that Poland’s strong position in the region could enhance its ability to influence decisions within the European Union. At the same time, the expectation was to increase the subjectivity of Poland and the countries of the region. Polish energy security activities carried out over the years (infrastructure development, diversification strategy) were based on the conviction of the possible negative consequences of market monopolization by the Russian Federation. In this regard, the need for projects that can strengthen security was emphasized, and cooperation with Central European countries and Ukraine also played an important role. Therefore, the country could play an extremely important role in the region’s energy independence efforts. It was therefore recognized that the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines could weaken not only Ukraine, but also other Central European countries. The cognitive aim of the article was to analyze the political thought of Law and Justice towards the importance of Ukraine for ensuring energy security of Poland and Central European countries. The starting point for consideration was the thesis that Law and Justice treated Ukraine as a key partner in efforts to reduce the importance of the Russian Federation in the region, an area that was central to the party’s foreign policy.