Authors

Discussion

The CSTO was created by Russia as an antithesis to NATO and a tool for integration in the post-Soviet space surrounding Russia. The founding documents and operating principles of the CSTO clearly reference the Washington Treaty and the principles governing the activities of the North Atlantic Alliance. However, throughout its existence, the CSTO has not achieved success as a political-military pact. Moreover, since the onset of Russia's war against Ukraine in 2022, the organisation has been in a state of disintegration. The existence of a military alliance centred around Russia has not resolved any of the security issues of its member states. In the new political situation that has emerged since the start of Russian aggression against Ukraine, the role of security provider in Central Asia and, more broadly, in Eurasia is increasingly being assigned to China.

This presentation aims to outline the political and ideological assumptions of the CSTO, which have also become the main cause of the weakness and dysfunctionality of this political-military organisation. The Russian Federation is the main threat to the national security of the states forming this alliance. The alliance's principles do not consider the national security issues of its member states but are solely aimed at consolidating Russia's position as a regional political and military hegemon, without considering the interests of the other member states. An analysis of the political foundations and operating principles of the CSTO reveals the fundamental weaknesses of all integration efforts undertaken by Russia in Eurasia (the so-called post-Soviet space).