... into account such desires in the very last place. The dramatic fate of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) after the Cold War is a great illustration. The Western countries were immediately able to act within the framework of this ... ... minor manifestations of justice in relation to the basic interests of others: Russia, Kazakhstan or smaller states outside the European Union and NATO.
The fact that only Russia actively opposed it is connected solely with its own capabilities and ambitions. Small countries ...
... legitimate security interests of other States.
Discussing the present situation in Europe, our colleagues from the United States, NATO and the European Union make constant appeals for ‘de-escalation’ and call on Russia to ‘choose a path of diplomacy’. We want to ... ... diplomacy. The very fact that the West now tries to revise to its benefit these diplomatic achievements of the leaders of all OSCE countries raises serious concern. The situation demands a frank clarification of positions.
We want to receive a clear answer ...
... the OSCE into the central organising body of the new European architecture. The West entertained the prospect of a greater role for the OSCE for some time, but in the end resolved not to give the body even more importance. There were concerns among Europeans that the OSCE might start competing with NATO to be the main security provider in Europe.
Kremlin.ru
Kadri Liik:
How to Talk with Russia
There was little appetite in Washington and in Brussels to invest heavily in any “OSCE-based system” and, for understandable reasons, the West ...
... organisations it wished to join without necessarily qualifying for them. The West has also done its utmost to link Russia up with the EU and NATO as a like-minded “strategic partner”. But Russia still feels less than equal and humiliated. How come?
The truth seems to be that Russia has never wanted to be treated as an equal partner inside the Western OSCE-based system. Rather, for Moscow, being “equal” means having the right to set and tweak the rules, not just to ...
... concerns in Moscow and unfortunately some of these concerns materialized.
The eruption of the Ukraine crisis shone a spotlight on the inefficiency of the very international institutions charged with maintaining security and communication channels in the European space, including the Russia-NATO Council set up in 2002 to deliver permanent contact and crisis prevention, and the OSCE, which also seems the only hope for diplomacy.
Avoiding War in Europe: How to Reduce the Risk
of a Military Encounter Between Russia and
NATO
The very concept of building a Greater Europe is increasingly coming under fire. In fact, it is hard to ...
