‘Talking with’ not ‘talking at’? Perceptions of the EU as a global normative energy actor in the eyes of BRICS and EU ‘Big 3’

Abstract:

Recent developments in Russia and Ukraine, as well as the aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear catastrophe have given the topic of energy governance major salience in international affairs. Global energy governance poses a challenge, as energy relations take place in a highly dispersed and fragmented environment.

Overall, a complex multipolar world has been established with Emerging Powers as major players and cooperation partners challenging ‘old’ prominent players such as the United States (US) as well as the European Union (EU). Russia, one of two key players in the Cold War era, is still an important actor, and in 2015, more than in years gone by, observers have wondered whether phantoms of the past are re-emerging.