Russia and Belarus have vetoed Estonia’s 2024 chairmanship on the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) over opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The veto has lead to a standstill in the organisation, causing anger among EU officials.

Estonia has been the OSCE’s candidate since 2020, but has been unable to adopt its budget, hold official events, or extend foreign missions. This has resulted in the end of all OSCE foreign missions in Ukraine, which have been subjected to Russia’s aggression. The OSCE’s system requiring unanimity is exposed to the Kremlin’s pursuit of reshaping the global order due to its war in Ukraine. Moscow has long been critical of the OSCE, accusing it of turning into a Western tool.

Russia’s ability to freeze the OSCE’s decision-making process is being closely monitored in Brussels. A key ministerial meeting is scheduled for North Macedonia later this month, and different options have been floated to address the dynamic with Russia. Some countries, especially the Baltics, see any other country taking over the chair as a concession to Moscow, while others argue that the OSCE could resume being a vehicle of communication with Moscow if negotiations over Ukraine occur.

Russia appears open to non-NATO countries taking over, and there is a growing consensus that Malta could be the solution. Austria, another possible candidate, supports the idea of Malta. A decision could come as early as Thursday at a meeting of OSCE diplomats in Vienna.

Countries in Central Eastern Europe point to the Russian decision as an example of why Russia should not be allowed to participate in OSCE work. They argue that allowing a country engaged in a war of aggression to remain in the OSCE undermines the organization’s principles of peace and security.

Having an aggressor state as a member is considered to contradict the OSCE’s commitment to resolving conflicts through dialogue, eroding its credibility and jeopardizing regional stability. These states believe that excluding aggressor nations would uphold the OSCE’s core values and promote a more effective platform for peaceful cooperation.