Abstract

The chapter reviews Russia’s participation in the Council of Europe (CoE) and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), arguing that Russia has had a challenging experience with both the CoE and OSCE. Moscow grew increasingly disappointed with the CoE because of human rights problems in Chechnya and tensions over decisions by the European Court of Human Rights, a part of the CoE. Russia experienced a similar disappointment with the OSCE, which the Kremlin desired to become a European security umbrella alternative to NATO. Despite these tensions, Russia remains interested in preserving relations and dialogue with the pan-European organizations.