Abstract
<jats:p>The analysis of the organizational principles and mechanisms of the functioning of a regional security system regarding the CSTO enables us to draw the following conclusions: conceptually and declaratively, the CSTO is a system of collective security, the efforts of which hinge on the principles of “collective self-defense” and “collective security”. Notwithstanding the fact that the CSTO legally is a military-political alliance, it has recorded and internal codes of regulation that significantly undermine the natural and purposeful activities of this organization; the security component of the activities of alliances in realpolitik creates a direct and uniting strong bond among states, assuming it underlies common economic and other interests. Active economic, cultural and other ties are the key factors enhancing the unions of states with different levels of development and diverse outlooks, hence creating conditions for their viability and long-term prospects for mutually beneficial development, which is not the case in the CSTO; the key indicative factor of effectiveness and viability regarding the provision of collective security is the organization’s equal approach to the member states’ national interests, and their political behavior systematized upon this on the platforms of other international organizations, which the CSTO doesn’t adhere to as well. Besides, a number of CSTO-adopted regulations lack the necessary implementation mechanisms. For example, the CSTO does have a framework regulating cooperation with international organizations, but the relevant mechanisms are not detailed. Moreover, the CSTO was initially established to combat novel threats: terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, illegal migration, human trafficking, however, so far it is short of effective mechanisms for settling international and internal conflicts. Creating such mechanisms will amplify the organization’s potential to ensure regional security.</jats:p>