Russia and International Organisations (PZK_167)

The objective of this study course is to synthesize Russia’s domestic and international policy trends, and identity struggles both internally and externally in order to achieve an accurate and deep understanding of contemporary Russia’s policies and activities in international organisations, its goals, challenges and working methods. We will focus on three variables. Firstly, Russia’s domestic resources or capabilities. Secondly, environment – regional and global. Thirdly, the ambitions of the leadership. During the course, we will examine Russian policy toward the United States, Europe, China, and the so-called former Soviet states in the context of international organisations. This study course provides a context-rich and historically informed understanding of the key concepts that continue shaping Russia’s foreign policy. Instead of being organized chronologically or geographically, the course is divided into conceptual clusters that tackle the most enduring, contested and ambiguous categories that form the core of Russian foreign policy discourse and are reflected in Russia’s policies and activities in different international organisations. It examines Russia’s role and relationship with the UN, NATO, EU, OSCE, Council of Europe, Arctic Council, Eurasian Economic Union, Commonwealth of Independent States, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and Collective Security Treaty Organisation, covering a wide range of issue areas. Throughout, it considers the political, economic and security interests that shape Russia’ foreign relations, conception of multilateralism and activity in multilateral settings.