Crisis or Opportunity? The OSCE Since the Outbreak of the Ukraine Conflict

Abstract

With the outbreak of the crisis in Ukraine at the end of 2013, and the unfolding military confrontation in that country, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the world’s largest regional security arrangement, reacted quickly and deployed immediately what has become the largest mandated field mission in its history—the Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine. Yet, the Organization has continuously been facing strains and obstacles, together with the imperative to adapt to the changing circumstances since its deployment. Nonetheless, the Ukraine crisis could represent a new opportunity for the OSCE, which appears to have become relevant again, after having been left at the margins of European politics following the end of the Cold War. This revival comes however at a price, i.e. the expanding stress of involvement that behooves purposeful attention and study. Along with the burden of growing commitments and longevity of needed support, a study of the OSCE’s ability to spur, adapt and sustain is thus necessary. The purpose of this Thesis is therefore to examine the impact of the Ukraine crisis on the OSCE’s role and mandate and explore the commitment-related problems of this Organization in the 21st century. The question of the efficiency of the OSCE will be tackled, as revealed by the Ukraine crisis and its repercussions on the viability, relevance and future of the OSCE.