NATO-Russia Relations

Since the early 1990s, two key issues have dominated efforts to develop a stable and predictable relationship between NATO and Russia. The first has been the persistent Russian demand for some kind of ‘special’ institutional relationship with the Alliance, one that is demonstrably distinct from — and closer than — that enjoyed by any other non-member state. The second issue has been NATO enlargement, particularly as it has encroached upon Russia’s self-ascribed ‘near abroad’.1 More recently, other important issues have risen up the agenda, including missile defence, the stalled ratification of the amended CFE treaty, and NATO’s actual and potential roles in the Caucasus.