The OSCE has a broad approach to security, including politico-military, economic, environmental, and human aspects. It addresses concerns like arms control, human rights, counterterrorism, and more. In OSCE every decision is taken by consensus-not a legal binding consensus but merely a political one. Since OSCE requires consensus, it is open to Russia’s influence and Russia wants to reshape the organization which it repeatedly said that it became a Western tool.

The standstill created by Russia in 2021 blocks the decision-making system of the OSCE and it prevents the organization to present efficient political responses or holding foreign missions abroad (for instance in Ukraine) because of Russia’s veto. While North Macedonia will be able to continue its presidency with an extension without any official rejection from Russia, Estonia has faced a refusal to approve the presidency of Estonia in 2024 by Russia. In that point, some politicians and diplomats argue that proposing non-NATO members of the OSCE as chairs of the OSCE might be a solution in the short run, but it lacks to be a sustainable solution after all.

On the other hand, the cleavage between OSCE members is still growing even before and  after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Moreover, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said in a statement on Tuesday: “As Russia is violating all fundamental principles of the OSCE with its bloody war of aggression, it is unacceptable to be subject to Moscow’s demands and blackmail”. It seems that there are not many solutions to address the standstill at OSCE in the short term without first addressing the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.