Russia in Turkmenistan: the Policy of Strengthening Cooperation

The article analyzes the Russian-Turkmen relations, which at the present stage are characterized by special dynamism. Thanks to the return of Russian Gazprom to the energy market ofTurkmenistanin 2019, cooperation between the two countries has intensified. The leading role of the energy factor in the relations betweenRussiaandTurkmenistanis substantiated. The problems arising in cooperation between the two countries in the oil and gas sector have a negative impact on the overall background of bilateral relations. The article considers the external and internal challenges faced byRussiain the Turkmen direction.Russia’s focus on strengthening military-political cooperation withTurkmenistanis shown. Despite the fact that the interests ofRussiaandTurkmenistanoverlap, approaches to their implementation are markedly different.Turkmenistan’s foreign policy actions are entirely determined by its domestic political priorities.Turkmenistan, fearing excessive dependence onRussiaand relying on its neutral status, is in no hurry to establish closer ties withRussia, limiting itself exclusively to the gas sphere. It is concluded that the future of Russian-Turkmen relations will largely depend on the ability of the two countries to come to agreed decisions on the oil and gas issue.