Security measures undertaken by international organizations with regard to Central and Eastern Europe - Part I

With the end of the Cold War, the states of Central and Eastern Europe faced the necessity of defining their place within the international security environment. Most countries in the region chose to anchor their security within international organizations operating in the West. Belarus remained within the sphere of influence of the Russian Federation as a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, while Ukraine remained in the Kremlin’s direct sphere of influence until 2004; between 2004 and 2014, Kyiv’s pro-Western orientation ultimately crystallized.

The process of NATO enlargement to include Central and Eastern European countries was a fundamental step toward increasing regional security. The accession of Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in 1999–2004 to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization enhanced their security and provided collective defense in the event of aggression. NATO also conducted various military operations and stabilization missions in the Central and Eastern European region.  

Examples include efforts aimed at stabilization in Kosovo and support for counterterrorism activities. In response to security concerns related to the actions of the Russian Federation—particularly in the context of measures taken against Ukraine since 2014—NATO strengthened its eastern flank through the deployment of rotational military forces, the conduct of joint exercises, and the reinforcement of defensive infrastructure.  

These actions constitute a comprehensive set of measures designed both to ensure military security and to promote political, economic, and social stability in Central and Eastern Europe. It should be noted that the political and security situation is subject to change, and international organizations adapt their strategies in response to new challenges and threats, inter alia through decisions taken at successive NATO summits. The Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine in 2022 confirmed that the principal threat to the states of Central and Eastern Europe is the Russian Federation.  

In the context of NATO activities, however, an inconsistent stance among the member states of the Alliance’s eastern flank has become apparent. This is reflected either in a coherent anti-Russian position (Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, the Czech Republic, Romania) or in a more conciliatory approach toward Moscow (Bulgaria, Slovakia, Hungary), which may raise concerns regarding the organization’s future unity.

In terms of EU security in Central and Eastern Europe, a variety of safeguarding measures are being undertaken with the aim of maintaining stability, promoting cooperation, and ensuring security in both military and civilian dimensions.

The most important initiatives in this area include:

1. The Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), introduced by the Maastricht Treaty in 1993. The EU uses CFSP instruments to coordinate its security-related activities in the fields of diplomacy, sanctions, political dialogue, and other tools designed to maintain peace and stability; 
2. Civilian and military missions and operations: the EU conducts various missions and operations focused on peacekeeping, crisis management, and strengthening the institutional capacities of state authorities in Central and Eastern Europe. Examples include observation, training, and policing missions;  
3. Financial instruments: the EU provides financial support for security in the region through various instruments, such as the European Internal Security Fund and technical assistance programs;
4. Collaboration with NATO: the European Union cooperates with NATO to strengthen collective security in Central and Eastern Europe. Mechanisms for cooperation exist, and member states often participate simultaneously in both EU and NATO activities; 
5. The Eastern Partnership: the European Union initiated the Eastern Partnership policy, which includes Eastern European countries such as Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. Its aim is to support political, economic, and social reforms, as well as to promote regional cooperation and security. International organizations employ various measures, such as economic sanctions and political dialogue, to influence states in the region in cases of violations of international norms;  
6. Monitoring and situation analysis: within EU agencies and institutions, systems for monitoring and analyzing the situation in the region are in place. These help identify potential threats and enable the adoption of effective preventive measures. 

In response to the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine, since February 2022 the European Union has introduced 11 packages of economic sanctions intended to weaken Russia’s economic position and resource base by denying Moscow access to modern technologies and markets, which in consequence is intended to limit its ability to wage war.