Thread by @CrisisGroup

#Russia’s attack on #Ukraine has put tremendous strain on the @OSCE.

Yet the organisation has unique value for European & Eurasian security.

With foreign ministers meeting in #Lodz tomorrow, here is how states can preserve the #OSCE:

#OSCEMC2022🧵[1/15]
crisisgroup.org/global/sb009-s…

Russia’s attack on Ukraine challenges the #OSCE’s viability as an organisation built to promote cooperative security arrangements between Russia and the West.

The situation is quite dire: the war has reinforced political blockages and upended #OSCE’s field operations in #Ukraine.

Some observers predict the organisation’s demise, citing its inability to promote security in Europe.

Yet the #OSCE still functions and continues to maintain stability in #Moldova, the Western Balkans, the #SouthCaucasus and #CentralAsia.

And it remains the only multilateral space outside the #UnitedNations where #Russia and the West can pursue dialogue on security matters.

To safeguard this work, and to allow the #OSCE to play a role in a future European security order, the organisation must be preserved.

This won’t happen by itself but requires a determined push from participating states.

Here are 7⃣ priorities its supporters should focus on:

1⃣ Mobilising political support for compromise

Since 24/02, diplomatic efforts in Vienna have increasingly failed to deliver results.

One way to break deadlocks is to form an ad hoc group of countries committed to defending the #OSCE & supporting #NorthMacedonia as 2023 chair.

2⃣ Keep #Russia in the organisation

#Russia poses a dilemma. Its actions in #Ukraine are a flagrant violation of the @OSCE’s core principles.

But having Russia as a p/state is key to the #OSCE’s usefulness.

The challenge is to avoid paralysis while not pushing Russia out.

3⃣ Keep operations authorised and funded

To preserve the #OSCE as a functioning multilateral platform, participating states must agree on a budget and extend current mandates for operations ASAP.

4⃣ Avoid a leadership crisis

There is no consensus on the 2024 chair & the mandates of #OSCE Secretary General @HelgaSchmid_SG and the heads of institutions @osce_odihr @oscehcnm @OSCE_RFoM expire in Dec 2023.

It is essential to find a chair & reappoint these top 4 officials.

5⃣ Explore new ways to be helpful in #Ukraine

The #OSCE is mainly absent from deliberations about #Ukraine.

Yet it has the experience and a wide array of tools to contribute in areas such as monitoring agreements that lessen the war’s impact on civilians.

6⃣ Continue to monitor and address crises outside Ukraine

The #OSCE should continue existing work and step up efforts as necessary to maintain stability & prevent conflict in places like #CentralAsia, the #SouthCaucasus, #Georgia, #Moldova, #Kosovo & #Bosnia.

7⃣ Prepare for the 50th anniversary of #HelsinkiFinalAct

Participating states should manage expectations about what Helsinki+50 can achieve in the current environment.

At the same time, they should be ready to tap into opportunities for dialogue if/when they present themselves.

While there are limits to what the #OSCE can achieve with one of its most powerful participating states pursuing a war of aggression, it would be a mistake to let the organisation slip into irrelevance.

The #OSCE does valuable work in conflict prevention & mitigation and has all the tools to contribute to a future European security architecture.

For a deep dive into how #Russia’s invasion of #Ukraine has impacted the @OSCE & details on priorities for preserving the organisation, have a look at our latest special briefing.
crisisgroup.org/global/sb009-s…