Cassis in Moscow: Can the OSCE Still Help in Ukraine?

Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis will travel to Moscow on Friday, following a visit to Kyiv earlier this week, to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Cassis is undertaking this trip in his capacity as Chairman of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The suitability of this organization to mediate in the Ukraine war is being assessed by diplomatic correspondent Fredy Gsteiger.

The OSCE’s Role in Mediation

The possibility of the OSCE successfully mediating in the Ukraine conflict is described as “part, part,” meaning uncertain. A minimal level of trust is considered a prerequisite for any peace discussions, and trust-building is a core function of the OSCE. However, the organization is currently facing significant challenges in finding and fulfilling a role in the conflict, with little expectation that it can act as a peace mediator, even under Swiss chairmanship.

Current Obstacles for the OSCE

While all 57 member states of the OSCE meet weekly in Vienna, including the United States and Russia, genuine dialogue is limited. Each side primarily expresses its positions without actively listening to the other. Russia is reportedly obstructing decision-making processes, and Western countries are avoiding direct dialogue with Russia, leading to a largely blocked situation. The OSCE lacks the leverage to compel any party towards peace, a power held by actors like the United States or China.

Did You Know? The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) extends from Vladivostok to Vancouver and comprises 57 member states.

The Overall State of the OSCE

The OSCE is currently described as being in a “miserable” state, with a damaged reputation, financial constraints, and paralysis on many key issues. It has largely disappeared from public debate. The organization’s original aim was to maintain and enforce a European peace order and to promote the development of liberal democracies within its membership area, an idea that is no longer widely accepted.

The Significance of a Western Government Visit to Moscow

Visits by Western government officials to Moscow have been rare since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. While occasional phone calls occur between Western leaders and Vladimir Putin, and some individual leaders like Hungary’s Viktor Orbán and Slovakia’s Robert Fico have visited Russia, Switzerland and Foreign Minister Cassis have made it a goal to maintain communication with both sides – Kyiv and Moscow – in an attempt to restart dialogue.

Expert Insight: The visit by Minister Cassis represents a calculated risk, attempting to preserve a channel for communication at a time when diplomatic options are severely limited. The inherent difficulty lies in navigating a situation where one party is widely seen as having violated international law and fundamental principles of the OSCE.

Political Challenges for Cassis

Cassis cannot position himself as a neutral mediator between Ukraine and Russia, as Russia has violated international law and opposes the core principles of the OSCE. He must therefore clearly define who is in the right and who is in the wrong, while still attempting to re-establish dialogue, a goal the Swiss government has also embraced.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the OSCE an effective organization?

Currently, the OSCE is facing significant challenges and is described as being in a “miserable” state, with a damaged reputation and limited ability to act as a mediator in the Ukraine conflict.

What is preventing the OSCE from being more effective?

A lack of dialogue between member states, particularly Russia and Western countries, and Russia’s obstruction of decision-making processes are hindering the OSCE’s effectiveness.

Why is Ignazio Cassis traveling to Moscow?

Ignazio Cassis is traveling to Moscow as the Chairman of the OSCE, with the goal of attempting to re-establish dialogue between Russia and Ukraine, despite the challenges and political complexities involved.

Given the current limitations of the OSCE, what realistic outcomes might be hoped for from Minister Cassis’s visit to Moscow?