Cornelius Friesendorf1; 1 University of Hamburg, Germany
Discussion
How have supporters of Ukraine responded to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine within the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)? Russia’s invasion, and its subsequent crimes in Ukraine, violated fundamental OSCE principles and raised the question of whether the OSCE would survive. Responding to Russia was challenging because of the strict consensus rule governing the OSCE. This paper, drawing on interviews with national diplomats and OSCE officials, reveals struggles among supporters of Ukraine in how to respond to Russia. It distinguishes between hawkish, pragmatic, and dovish states. Hawks prioritized the isolation of Russia over the future of the OSCE. Pragmatists wanted to balance the protection of principles with the protection of the OSCE. Doves prioritized the vitality of the OSCE and therefore sought compromises with Russia. As states were pulling in different directions, an overall approach of minimal cooperation emerged. The paper demonstrates how different dispositions and expectations constituted this fragile equilibrium.
