In the modern world, states are members of hundreds of international organizations that contribute to the establishment of cultural interaction, economic relations and trade. Russia, being one of the largest states, is a member of many organizations.
Regional organizations
Membership in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) is important for Russia. On the territory of the CIS countries outside of the Russian Federation, 20 million Russian and Russian-speaking people live. This organization, being created in 1991 after the collapse of the USSR, included most of the former Soviet republics, with the exception of the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania). In 2014, the CIS includes, in addition to the Russian Federation, Belarus, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Ukraine is de facto a member of the CIS, but has not signed the Charter. Turkmenistan also did not sign the Charter, while declaring itself as an "associate member" of the organization. After the conflict with Russia, Georgia withdrew from the CIS in 2009. Russia has the function of protecting the external borders of the CIS in Central Asia and the Caucasus.
Another geopolitically important organization for Russia is the EurAsEC Customs Union, which together with it includes Belarus and Kazakhstan. The organization is a form of trade and economic integration, providing for a single customs territory. Economic restrictions and customs duties are not applied within this territory.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) includes Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The territory of the countries belonging to this regional organization occupies 60% of the territory of Eurasia. The main proclaimed tasks of the SCO are strengthening security and stability, economic cooperation, energy partnership, cultural and scientific interaction, the fight against terrorism, extremism and separatism.
The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) is a military-political alliance that has existed in its modern form since 2002. The CSTO includes Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Armenia. The stated task of the organization is to jointly protect the territorial and economic space of the participating countries from military aggression, terrorists and natural disasters.
Other organizations
After the USSR collapsed in 1991, Russia was legally recognized as the USSR's successor state. Therefore, she took the place of the former Soviet Union in the UN Security Council and a number of other organizations.
The United Nations Organization (UN) is considered, perhaps, the main among those that emerged after the Second World War. It was created in 1945 with the aim of maintaining peace in various regions of the planet. It possesses considerable financial capabilities, command and control apparatus and even armed forces. Russia was one of the countries that took part in the creation of the UN. And being the victorious power in World War II, it became one of the highest executive body of the organization - the UN Security Council, where it is to this day. In this regard, Russia has the right of veto, i.e. the right to prohibit any decision taken by the UN.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is one of those where Russia participates. The OSCE's goal is to maintain security and peace in Europe.
In addition to the above, the Russian Federation is a member of such organizations as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Council of Europe, the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS), the Barents Euro-Arctic Council (BEAC), the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization (BSEC), the United Nations Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), World Bank Group, Universal Postal Union, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Aeronautical Federation International (FAI), Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA), etc. etc.
