Russia and its ‘New Security Architecture’ in Europe: A Critical Examination of the Concept

One of the most important effects of Russia’s war against Georgia in August 2008 was a new set of approaches to the future of European security being actively promoted by Dmitry Medvedev and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. According to their interpretation, the Georgian war was not a particular incident (an exception) but a structural event, a landmark comparable to Russia’s own ‘September 11’ to be symbolised as a ‘moment of truth’. This Working Document looks at Russia’s critique of the existing security architecture and its search for a new one.