The author of this study provides an answer by analying two cases: Russian gas exports to Belarus and Russian arms exports to China. He draws the conclusion that, in contradiction to an alleged "securitisation" of Russian foreign policy, it is economic rationales of relevant sub-state actors, rather than the state's security rationales, that have determined Russian foreign policy on exports in strategic branches.

Marcel Vietor is head of the "Foreign Energy Policy" program at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP).