Publication

The protests in Arab states have aroused in Russia apprehensions of the growth of Islamic extremists' influence in the North Caucasus and in the Islamic and authoritarian Central Asian states. At the same time, Russia's stance towards developments in Libya indicates that Russia is prepared to cooperate with the West in solving key international issues. In connection with the North Africa crisis Russia comes across as a stable and dependable supplier of energy sources to the EU market, an image that will help attract investors in the Russian fuel and energy sector.