This article investigates the Russian reaction to the Third Energy Package (TEP) of the European Union (EU). This legislation aimed at integrating the EU’s internal gas market but also became a game-changer for EU–Russia energy relations. The framing strategies through which the Russian regime has made sense of TEP are explored and the entanglement of these strategies with the Kremlin’s claim to great power status – one of the key pillars of its legitimation strategy – are scrutinized. Altogether, three frames are identified. They differ from each other in their depictions of the EU and of the legislation itself. The EU is perceived as a misguided partner, deceptive counterpart, or geopolitical rival, while TEP is viewed as an ill-informed policy, a unilateral decision which disregards Russia’s legitimate interests, or a direct attack on Gazprom and, consequently, on Russia. At least one frame also bears a strong legitimation message as it connects with Russia’s mythology and collective memory. It resonates with Russia’s deeply-rooted desire to be recognized as a great power and posits TEP as an act of rejection through which Russia is denied this status.

本文调查了俄罗斯对欧盟（EU）的第三能源计划（TEP）的反应。该立法旨在整合欧盟内部天然气市场，但也成为改变欧盟与俄罗斯能源关系的规则。探索了俄罗斯政权理解TEP的框架策略，并仔细研究了这些策略与克里姆林宫宣称的大国地位（其合法化策略的主要支柱之一）的纠缠。总共确定了三个帧。它们在描述欧盟和立法本身方面彼此不同。欧盟被视为误入歧途的伙伴，欺骗性的对手或地缘政治竞争对手，而TEP被视为知情政策，这是单方面的决定，无视俄罗斯的合法利益，或直接攻击俄罗斯天然气工业股份公司，进而攻击俄罗斯。至少有一个框架还带有强烈的合法性信息，因为它与俄罗斯的神话和集体记忆联系在一起。它与俄罗斯根深蒂固的被承认为大国的愿望产生共鸣，并将TEP视为拒绝行动，俄罗斯因此被拒绝享有这一地位。