The Role of OSCE and EU Cooperation in Resolving the Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Keywords:
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, European Union, Russia – Ukraine conflict, Special Monitoring Mission, European Union Satellite Centre
Abstract
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has had significant consequences not only for the two states but also for the international community. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the European Union (EU) have played crucial roles in resolving the conflict, with their cooperation being essential for creating a peaceful and stable outcome. This paper aims to analyze the role of OSCE and EU cooperation in resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict and identify the challenges and areas for improvement in their coordination based on a qualitative approach. The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) and the European Union Satellite Centre (SatCen) were particularly instrumental in providing unbiased monitoring and reporting of violations of the ceasefire agreement. Despite the challenges faced in coordinating their efforts, this paper presents that SMM and SatCen have proven to be valuable tools in promoting peace, security, and respect for human rights in the conflict-affected region. Thus, through this paper scholars could use it as a reference to start to study more the SatCen relevance and SMM role, to explain relations between EU and OSCE through their influential tools. The OSCE and EU have been actively engaged in conflict resolution efforts, with a focus on diplomatic and economic sanctions against Russia. In reviewing the OSCE’s cooperation with the EU, this paper suggests that they need to find other ways to minimize their limitations. The lack of political will and agreement among member states has weakened the effectiveness of the OSCE, while the EU's sanctions policy has been questioned as a means of resolving the conflict. The paper suggests that the OSCE should focus on strengthening its capacity for conflict prevention, management, and resolution as well as monitoring and reporting on violations of human rights. The EU should increase economic assistance to Ukraine and find other ways to cooperate with the OSCE to address human rights concerns and support a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Ultimately, the paper argues that a comprehensive and inclusive approach is needed to effectively address the conflict and promote sustainable peace and stability in the region.
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
Metrics
Metrics Loading ...
PlumX Statistics
References
1. Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. (2019). OSCE-EEAS cooperation: Joint action to address security challenges. Retrieved from https://www.osce.org/secretariat/431099?download=true\
2. Arbatov, A. (2021). Russia and the West Are Still Stuck in the Ukraine Conflict. Carnegie Moscow Center. Retrieved from https://carnegie.ru/commentary/83774
3. Bladel, J. V. (2022). Mobilizing Against Russia? Some Reflections on the Security Deadlock Called Ukraine. EGMONT PAPER 115, Royal Institute for International Relations.
4. Chairperson-in-Office. (2006, December). Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Retrieved from Ministerial Document No.1/06, OSCE Rules of Procedure.
5. European Commission. (2021). Humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/echo/where/europe-and-central-asia/ukraine_en
6. Congressional Research Service. (2021). Conflict in Ukraine: OSCE's Role in Supporting a Peaceful Solution. Retrieved from https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R46886
7. Friesendorf C. , S. W. (2022). Options for dealing with Russia in the OSCE. Security and Human Rights Monitor.
8. Council Decision (CFSP), 2019/420 (SatCen 2019).
9. Dunay, P. (2022). Where is the OSCE during Russia's war on Ukraine? Clingendael Spectator, Magazine for International Relations.
10. EEAS. (2022). European Union - Ukraine relations. Retrieved from European External Action Service: https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage_en/3155/EU-Ukraine%20relations
11. Eriksson, J., Brattberg E., Hamilton D., Spohr K. (2017). The OSCE and European security governance: enduring challenges and shifting contexts. Journal of European Integration 39(1). doi:doi: 10.1080/07036337.2016.1260019
12. EU Statements at the General Council Meeting (2022) European External Action Service (EEAS).
13. European Commission. (2022). EU sanctions against Russia following the invasion of Ukraine. European Union.
14. European Commission. (2023). Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP). Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/instrument-contributing-stability-and-peace-icsp_en
15. European Council on Foreign Relations. (2021). Getting back on track: The EU and the Normandy format in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Retrieved from https://www.ecfr.eu/publications/summary/getting_back_on_track_the_eu_and_the_normandy_format_in_the_russia_ukraine
16. European External Action Service. (2022). The European Union and the Crisis in Ukraine. Retrieved from https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/32741/european-union-and-crisis-ukraine_en
17. European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations. (2021). Ukraine. European Commission. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/neighbourhood/countries/ukraine_en
18. European Space Agency. (2019). GMES/Copernicus Space Component Data Access Portfolio. Retrieved from https://m.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/GMES-Copernicus_Space_Component_Data_Access_Portfolio
19. European Union External Action Service. (2021). EU-Ukraine relations. Retrieved March 2023, from https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage_en/344/EU-Ukraine%20relations
20. European Union Institute for Security Studies. (2018). EU and OSCE: The two sides of the same coin in promoting security in Europe. Retrieved from https://www.iss.europa.eu/sites/default/files/EUISSFiles/Report_45_EU_and_OSCE.pdf
21. Foreign Policy Instrument (FPI). (2018). Monitoring security developments in conflict zones from the sky. EU Service for Foreign Policy Instruments.
22. Galeotti M. (2019). The Sanctions on Russia Are Hurting Putin's Enemies, Not His Friends. Foreign Policy magazine.
23. Gänzle, S. (2017). Ukraine and the OSCE: Between a rock and a hard place. Journal of Conflict Security Law, 22(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/jcsl/krw024
24. HARP. (2018). Humanitarian Assistance and Reconstruction Programme. OSCE. Retrieved from https://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/reports/humanitarian-assistance-and-reconstruction-programme-harp-218786
25. Human Rights Watch. (2021). Ukraine: Police Torture of Detainees, Retrieved March 2023, from https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/03/02/ukraine-police-torture-detainees
26. Kolovos A. (2022). Commercial Satellites in Crisis and War: The Case of the Russian-Ukrainian Conflict. Hellenic Air Force Academy, Air & Space Management and Control Laboratory.
27. Kostadinova, T., J. Savelsberg, Wang Y. (2017). The OSCE's human dimension: A survey of the empirical literature. Human Rights Quarterly, 39(3), 700-727. doi:doi: 10.1353/hrq.2017.0034
28. Kuchins A. (2017). Sanctions on Russia: Unintended Consequences and Potential Opportunities. The Washington Quarterly.
29. Liechtenstein, S. (2022, November 29). Will Russia Kill the OSCE? Foreign Policy Magazine.
30. Lough, J. (2021). The OSCE's Uncertain Future. Carnegie Moscow Center.
31. United Nations. (2015). The situation in Eastern Ukraine Remains ‘Tense and Volatile’ Despite Post-Ceasefire Reduction in Fighting, Security Council Told during Briefing. 7576TH Meeting (AM), SC/12154.
32. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Press Release. (2023). As Russian Federation’s Invasion of Ukraine Approaches One Year Mark, Speakers in Security Council Trade Accusations for Failure of Minsk Peace Accords. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Press Release.
33. Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). (2015). Agreement on the withdrawal of weapons of caliber less than 100mm. Retrieved March 2023, from https://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/139486
34. OSCE. (2023). Who we are? Retrieved from https://www.osce.org/who-we-are
35. OSCE relations to EU (2021) Delegation of the European Union to the International Organizations in Vienna.
36. OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine. (2015). Daily Report 57/2015: Situation in Ukraine. Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Retrieved from https://www.osce.org/special-monitoring-mission-to-ukraine/144556
37. OSCE-Where-we-are. (2023). OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (closed).
38. Petrů, T. (2021). The role of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine. Euro-Atlantic Center.
39. Press-Release (2022). OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Secretary General announce the upcoming closure of the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine. Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
40. RFE/RL. (2022). OSCE Monitoring Mission Forced To Shut Down Some Field Offices In Ukraine. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved from https://www.rferl.org/a/osce-ukraine-monitoring-mission-shuts-offices/31993884.html
41. SatCen. (2014). Satellite imagery and analysis of the situation in eastern Ukraine. European Union.
42. Service of EEAS (2021, March 26). Joint statement by EU High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde. Retrieved from https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/95656/joint-statement-eu-high-representativevice-president-josep-borrell-and-osce-chairperson-office_en
43. Service of EEAS (2023). Crisis Management and Planning Directorate (CMPD). Retrieved from https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/3155/crisis-management-and-planning-directorate-cmpd_en
44. Šimáková, M. A. (2016). The European Union in the OSCE in the Light of the Ukrainian Crisis: Trading Actorness for Effectiveness? College of Europe.
45. Šimáková, V. . (2016). The Role of the EU and OSCE in Conflict Resolution: The Case of the Russia-Ukraine Conflict. Journal of Conflict Management and Sustainable Development, 6(2).
46. SMM-Ukraine. (2022). 2021 Trends and Observations from the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine. Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
47. Solonenko, I. . (2019). EU and OSCE Roles in Conflict Resolution: Case Study of the Russian-Ukrainian Conflict. Journal of International Studies, 12(1).
48. Strategy of EEAS (2016). Shared Vision, Common Action: A Stronger Europe a Global Strategy for the European Union’s Foreign and Security Policy. European External Action Service (EEAS).
49. Taylor, P. M. (2018). The European Union, the OSCE and the Russia-Ukraine conflict: Challenges and opportunities. International Affairs, 94(1), 67-86.
50. The Diplomatic Service of the European Union. (2018). The EU enhances its operational cooperation with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. European Union External Actions. Retrieved from https://www.eeas.europa.eu/node/47124_en
51. Trenin, D. (2020). The Minsk Agreement: Still alive but not well. Carnegie Moscow Center. Retrieved from https://carnegie.ru/commentary/82989
52. UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. (2018). Report on the human rights situation in Ukraine. Retrieved March 2023, from https://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/ENACARegion/Pages/UAIndex.aspx
53. United Nations. (1945). The Charter of the United Nations. Retrieved March 2023, from https://www.un.org/en/sections/un-charter/chapter-i/index.html
54. Youngs, R. & Krastev, I. (2019). European Union sanctions against Russia: Effective or counterproductive? Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Retrieved March 2023, from https://carnegieendowment.org/2019/09/25/european-union-sanctions-against-russia-effective-or-counterproductive-pub-79848
2. Arbatov, A. (2021). Russia and the West Are Still Stuck in the Ukraine Conflict. Carnegie Moscow Center. Retrieved from https://carnegie.ru/commentary/83774
3. Bladel, J. V. (2022). Mobilizing Against Russia? Some Reflections on the Security Deadlock Called Ukraine. EGMONT PAPER 115, Royal Institute for International Relations.
4. Chairperson-in-Office. (2006, December). Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Retrieved from Ministerial Document No.1/06, OSCE Rules of Procedure.
5. European Commission. (2021). Humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/echo/where/europe-and-central-asia/ukraine_en
6. Congressional Research Service. (2021). Conflict in Ukraine: OSCE's Role in Supporting a Peaceful Solution. Retrieved from https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R46886
7. Friesendorf C. , S. W. (2022). Options for dealing with Russia in the OSCE. Security and Human Rights Monitor.
8. Council Decision (CFSP), 2019/420 (SatCen 2019).
9. Dunay, P. (2022). Where is the OSCE during Russia's war on Ukraine? Clingendael Spectator, Magazine for International Relations.
10. EEAS. (2022). European Union - Ukraine relations. Retrieved from European External Action Service: https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage_en/3155/EU-Ukraine%20relations
11. Eriksson, J., Brattberg E., Hamilton D., Spohr K. (2017). The OSCE and European security governance: enduring challenges and shifting contexts. Journal of European Integration 39(1). doi:doi: 10.1080/07036337.2016.1260019
12. EU Statements at the General Council Meeting (2022) European External Action Service (EEAS).
13. European Commission. (2022). EU sanctions against Russia following the invasion of Ukraine. European Union.
14. European Commission. (2023). Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP). Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/instrument-contributing-stability-and-peace-icsp_en
15. European Council on Foreign Relations. (2021). Getting back on track: The EU and the Normandy format in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Retrieved from https://www.ecfr.eu/publications/summary/getting_back_on_track_the_eu_and_the_normandy_format_in_the_russia_ukraine
16. European External Action Service. (2022). The European Union and the Crisis in Ukraine. Retrieved from https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/32741/european-union-and-crisis-ukraine_en
17. European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations. (2021). Ukraine. European Commission. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/neighbourhood/countries/ukraine_en
18. European Space Agency. (2019). GMES/Copernicus Space Component Data Access Portfolio. Retrieved from https://m.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/GMES-Copernicus_Space_Component_Data_Access_Portfolio
19. European Union External Action Service. (2021). EU-Ukraine relations. Retrieved March 2023, from https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage_en/344/EU-Ukraine%20relations
20. European Union Institute for Security Studies. (2018). EU and OSCE: The two sides of the same coin in promoting security in Europe. Retrieved from https://www.iss.europa.eu/sites/default/files/EUISSFiles/Report_45_EU_and_OSCE.pdf
21. Foreign Policy Instrument (FPI). (2018). Monitoring security developments in conflict zones from the sky. EU Service for Foreign Policy Instruments.
22. Galeotti M. (2019). The Sanctions on Russia Are Hurting Putin's Enemies, Not His Friends. Foreign Policy magazine.
23. Gänzle, S. (2017). Ukraine and the OSCE: Between a rock and a hard place. Journal of Conflict Security Law, 22(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/jcsl/krw024
24. HARP. (2018). Humanitarian Assistance and Reconstruction Programme. OSCE. Retrieved from https://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/reports/humanitarian-assistance-and-reconstruction-programme-harp-218786
25. Human Rights Watch. (2021). Ukraine: Police Torture of Detainees, Retrieved March 2023, from https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/03/02/ukraine-police-torture-detainees
26. Kolovos A. (2022). Commercial Satellites in Crisis and War: The Case of the Russian-Ukrainian Conflict. Hellenic Air Force Academy, Air & Space Management and Control Laboratory.
27. Kostadinova, T., J. Savelsberg, Wang Y. (2017). The OSCE's human dimension: A survey of the empirical literature. Human Rights Quarterly, 39(3), 700-727. doi:doi: 10.1353/hrq.2017.0034
28. Kuchins A. (2017). Sanctions on Russia: Unintended Consequences and Potential Opportunities. The Washington Quarterly.
29. Liechtenstein, S. (2022, November 29). Will Russia Kill the OSCE? Foreign Policy Magazine.
30. Lough, J. (2021). The OSCE's Uncertain Future. Carnegie Moscow Center.
31. United Nations. (2015). The situation in Eastern Ukraine Remains ‘Tense and Volatile’ Despite Post-Ceasefire Reduction in Fighting, Security Council Told during Briefing. 7576TH Meeting (AM), SC/12154.
32. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Press Release. (2023). As Russian Federation’s Invasion of Ukraine Approaches One Year Mark, Speakers in Security Council Trade Accusations for Failure of Minsk Peace Accords. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Press Release.
33. Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). (2015). Agreement on the withdrawal of weapons of caliber less than 100mm. Retrieved March 2023, from https://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/139486
34. OSCE. (2023). Who we are? Retrieved from https://www.osce.org/who-we-are
35. OSCE relations to EU (2021) Delegation of the European Union to the International Organizations in Vienna.
36. OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine. (2015). Daily Report 57/2015: Situation in Ukraine. Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Retrieved from https://www.osce.org/special-monitoring-mission-to-ukraine/144556
37. OSCE-Where-we-are. (2023). OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (closed).
38. Petrů, T. (2021). The role of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine. Euro-Atlantic Center.
39. Press-Release (2022). OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Secretary General announce the upcoming closure of the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine. Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
40. RFE/RL. (2022). OSCE Monitoring Mission Forced To Shut Down Some Field Offices In Ukraine. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved from https://www.rferl.org/a/osce-ukraine-monitoring-mission-shuts-offices/31993884.html
41. SatCen. (2014). Satellite imagery and analysis of the situation in eastern Ukraine. European Union.
42. Service of EEAS (2021, March 26). Joint statement by EU High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde. Retrieved from https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/95656/joint-statement-eu-high-representativevice-president-josep-borrell-and-osce-chairperson-office_en
43. Service of EEAS (2023). Crisis Management and Planning Directorate (CMPD). Retrieved from https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/3155/crisis-management-and-planning-directorate-cmpd_en
44. Šimáková, M. A. (2016). The European Union in the OSCE in the Light of the Ukrainian Crisis: Trading Actorness for Effectiveness? College of Europe.
45. Šimáková, V. . (2016). The Role of the EU and OSCE in Conflict Resolution: The Case of the Russia-Ukraine Conflict. Journal of Conflict Management and Sustainable Development, 6(2).
46. SMM-Ukraine. (2022). 2021 Trends and Observations from the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine. Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
47. Solonenko, I. . (2019). EU and OSCE Roles in Conflict Resolution: Case Study of the Russian-Ukrainian Conflict. Journal of International Studies, 12(1).
48. Strategy of EEAS (2016). Shared Vision, Common Action: A Stronger Europe a Global Strategy for the European Union’s Foreign and Security Policy. European External Action Service (EEAS).
49. Taylor, P. M. (2018). The European Union, the OSCE and the Russia-Ukraine conflict: Challenges and opportunities. International Affairs, 94(1), 67-86.
50. The Diplomatic Service of the European Union. (2018). The EU enhances its operational cooperation with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. European Union External Actions. Retrieved from https://www.eeas.europa.eu/node/47124_en
51. Trenin, D. (2020). The Minsk Agreement: Still alive but not well. Carnegie Moscow Center. Retrieved from https://carnegie.ru/commentary/82989
52. UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. (2018). Report on the human rights situation in Ukraine. Retrieved March 2023, from https://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/ENACARegion/Pages/UAIndex.aspx
53. United Nations. (1945). The Charter of the United Nations. Retrieved March 2023, from https://www.un.org/en/sections/un-charter/chapter-i/index.html
54. Youngs, R. & Krastev, I. (2019). European Union sanctions against Russia: Effective or counterproductive? Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Retrieved March 2023, from https://carnegieendowment.org/2019/09/25/european-union-sanctions-against-russia-effective-or-counterproductive-pub-79848
Published
2023-05-31
How to Cite
Mahilaj, S. (2023). The Role of OSCE and EU Cooperation in Resolving the Russia-Ukraine Conflict. European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 19(14), 1. https://doi.org/10.19044/esj.2023.v19n14p1
Section
ESJ Humanities
Copyright (c) 2023 Sara Mahilaj
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
.jpg)
