Russie.Eurasie.Visions - Russia and the Council of Europe: Ten Years Wasted? "Russie.Nei.Visions", No. 15, January 2007

In 1996, the Russian Federation joined the Council of Europe both in spite of and owing to its democratic failings. Accession was, in fact, seen as a step toward democratic conversion. Ten years an, as the Council is presided by Russia for the first time, an initial appraisal can be made using the following questions as guideline: to what extend has the Council of Europe influenced Russia, and to what extend has Russia - taking into account observed regressions - modified the current nature of the Council?