Pavlenko O. Influence of External Political Factors on the Energy Security of Ukraine.

The dissertation is devoted to the notion of energy security in its contemporary understanding, assessment of influence of political and external political factors on state's energy security. The author outlines external political factors that influence energy security of Ukraine, and proposes the ways to diminish their negative influence. It is stated that Ukraine, being an active subject of bi- and multilateral processes in energy sphere on the international arena, is influenced by the majority of external factors, capable of changing (strengthening or weakening) the level of its energy security. Some factors act beyond Ukraine's ability to influence them, while some may become objects of Ukrainian energy policy in the future, thus contributing to strengthening of its energy security. The author proves, that Ukraine will be capable of drastic diminishing of negative influence on its national security through systemic introduction and development of initiatives in different aspects of the energy sphere. Such initiatives include, for instance: adoption of a long-term Energy strategy as law; reforming of the internal energy market to make it more transparent; protection of entities and assets of Ukrainian energy sphere from possible external interference; fostering cooperation with possible contributors of energy sources (Turkmenistan, Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Georgia); replacement of responsive energy policies with proactive projects; development of regional energy organizations to broaden relationships with countries whose interests coincide with Ukrainian; improvement of information policy in the energy sphere and increase of level of the "energy diplomacy". The momentum of such diminishing of threats in energy sphere is by large determined by the consistence of the initiatives and consolidated position of Ukrainian authorities in their implementation.