The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is the world’s largest regional security organization with 57 participating States from Europe and Eurasia as well as Canada and the United States. Through political dialogue about shared values and practical work on the ground that aims to make a lasting difference, the OSCE promotes peace, prosperity, and democracy for more than a billion people. Built on the foundation of the 1975 Helsinki Final Act, the OSCE takes a comprehensive approach to security, encompassing political-military issues, economic and environmental concerns, and human rights and democratic development.
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24 and the Kremlin’s blatant disregard for its OSCE commitments have shattered the region’s collective security and violated every single one of the Helsinki Final Act’s guiding principles. Despite offering Russia an opportunity to hold an enhanced European security dialogue, Russia has turned its back on the organization. The United States, in close coordination with other participating States, has focused its efforts since February 24 on holding Russia to account. On November 1, the OSCE also launched a new Support Programme for Ukraine with $2 million in initial U.S. funding, to address some of the immediate challenges to civilians posed by Russia’s war and to support the long-term democratic and social resilience of Ukrainian institutions and civil society organizations.
