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Russian Federation

The Russian Federation (Russia) is physically the largest country in the world, covering 6.6 million square miles and 11 time zones over its 6,000-mile length.   Its population of about 141.7 million includes well over 100 ethnic groups, though the majority are ethnic Russians.  Once an underdeveloped, peasant society, Russia underwent an intense centrally-directed program of rapid industrialization and education under the Soviet regime.

As the successor to the Soviet Union, Russia traces its membership in the OSCE back to the organization’s roots in the Cold War and the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, which was originally a Soviet bloc-led initiative.  The collapse of communism and Soviet rule in 1991 forced Russia into a difficult transition toward a democratic state and market-based economy. That transition continues today, though democracy has suffered a series of setbacks under the increasingly authoritarian rule of President Vladimir Putin, who has been in power as either president or prime minister for two decades. As a result, Russia has eliminated much of the space for civil society and free media, reduced access to justice, and imposed severe restraints on political pluralism. Additionally, Russia under Putin’s direction has become increasingly involved in the creation and dissemination of disinformation in attempts to create chaos abroad and undermine Western democratic institutions.

Russia is failing repeatedly to live up to its commitments of the 1975 Helsinki Act, such as respecting territorial integrity, refraining from the threat or use of force, respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, and fulfilling obligations under international law.

The Helsinki Commission is particularly concerned about Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, including its illegal occupation of Crimea and its ongoing senseless war in eastern Ukraine, and is deeply disturbed by Russia’s culture of legal impunity that has resulted in unsolved murders of activists, whistleblowers, and opposition politicians such as Sergei Magnitsky and Boris Nemtsov. The Commission played a central role in drafting the 2012 Magnitsky Act to impose sanctions of Russian officials implicated in Magnitsky’s murder, as well as other human rights abuses and corruption.

Staff Contact: Rachel Bauman, policy advisor

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Press Releases

HEARING – The Axis of Aggressors: Russia, China, DPR...

Nov 14, 2024

Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2247 Stream live here Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, dictators around the world have united to both support Russia in executing its war and undermining the US-led world order. China’s veneer of neutrality has worn thin with its assistance to Russia in evading sanctions, procuring critical […]

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Briefings

The Future of European Energy Security

Oct 16, 2024

Ukraine’s energy situation is dire. After nearly three years of sustained Russian attacks, Ukraine’s ability to produce, store, and transmit power has been severely impaired—which has far-reaching implications for the Ukrainian war effort and disastrous humanitarian consequences. In order to defend its territory and defeat Russia, Ukraine must be able to meet its significant and […]

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Press Releases

Helsinki Commission Chairman Joe Wilson Announces St...

Sep 30, 2024

WASHINGTON—Today, the U.S. Helsinki Commission staff published a new report entitled “Contesting Russia: Preparing for the Long-Term Russian Threat.” The report highlights the need for a durable and comprehensive strategy to contest Russia as it continues to act as an imperial power—threatening its neighbors, the United States, and the democratic world. Focusing on the OSCE […]

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Publications

Contesting Russia: Preparing for the Long-Term Russi...

Sep 30, 2024

Executive Summary: Russia poses a serious and persistent threat to its neighbors, the United States, and the democratic world. Even if the country’s current regime were to be replaced today, Russia would still face systemic obstacles to becoming a free and democratic state. Until Russia can reckon with its imperial history and present, cease using […]

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Press Releases

HEARING – Russia’s Shadow War on NATO

Sep 24, 2024

Cannon House Office Building, Room 210 Stream live here Since the outset of Russia’s genocidal invasion of Ukraine, the United States and NATO have sought to avoid direct confrontation with Russia by conditioning Ukraine’s use of military aid, including severely restricting their use of long-range weapons inside of Russia. However, Russia is already engaged in […]

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Press Releases

HEARING – Russia’s Imperial Identity

Sep 18, 2024

2358-C Rayburn House Office Building Stream live here Russia’s war of territorial conquest and genocide in Ukraine is rooted in years of unrestrained authoritarianism and imperialism. The scale of Russia’s physical brutality and the rhetoric perpetuating it brings the imperial nature of both contemporary and historical Russia into stark relief. Unlike European colonial empires which […]

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Press Releases

U.S. Helsinki Commissioners Welcome Release of Unjus...

Aug 01, 2024

WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Helsinki Commission Chairman Rep. Joe Wilson (SC-02), Co-Chairman Sen. Ben Cardin (MD), Ranking Member Rep. Steve Cohen (TN-09), and Ranking Member Sen. Roger Wicker (MS) celebrated the release of several individuals who were unjustly detained in Russia, including former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, American journalists Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva, and Russian opposition […]

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Press Releases

Helsinki Commission Ranking Member Cohen Celebrates ...

Aug 01, 2024

WASHINGTON—Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s 56-nation Parliamentary Assembly’s Special Representative on Political Prisoners, today welcomed news that three journalists and Paul Whelan, wrongly detained and imprisoned by Russian authorities on trumped-up charges, have been released in a prisoner exchange. Congressman Cohen made the following statement: “I have been […]

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Briefings

Russia’s Ecocide in Ukraine: Environmental Des...

Jul 16, 2024

In the ten years since Russia launched its war of aggression against Ukraine, Ukraine estimates that Russia has inflicted some $60 billion in damages to Ukraine’s natural and man-made environments and pushed Ukraine to the brink of ecological collapse.  Vast swaths of Ukraine are contaminated with landmines, toxic chemicals, and heavy metals.  Hundreds of thousands […]

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Press Releases

HEARING – Putin’s Syrian Puppet: War Crimes an...

Jul 10, 2024

Rayburn 2247 Stream live here WASHINGTON—For over 13 years, the Assad regime has been perpetrating war crimes and other grave human rights abuses against the Syrian people. The Russian support to the regime has been critical in perpetuating these atrocities. The hearing will address the extent of the suffering inflicted upon the Syrian people and examine […]

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Hearings

Putin’s Syrian Puppet: War Crimes and Complicity fro...

Jul 10, 2024

For over 13 years, the Assad regime has been perpetrating war crimes and other grave human rights abuses against the Syrian people. The Russian support to the regime has been critical in perpetuating these atrocities. The hearing will address the extent of the suffering inflicted upon the Syrian people and examine the broader implications of […]

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Statements

Helsinki Commission Leadership Honors World Press Fr...

May 03, 2024

WASHINGTON—On World Press Freedom Day, Helsinki Commission Chairman Rep. Joe Wilson (SC-02), Co-Chairman Sen. Ben Cardin (MD), Ranking Member Rep. Steve Cohen (TN-09), and Ranking Member Sen. Roger Wicker (MS) issue the following joint statement: “On World Press Freedom Day, we stand in solidarity with courageous journalists globally. We are especially concerned about American journalists […]

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