Im(perfect) allies: explaining the internal cooperation variance of Russia and the U.S. with their CSTO and NATO partners

Abstract The Russian-Ukrainian war has attracted attention to the marked differences between Moscow and Washington in terms of allies’ support within CSTO and NATO. Although some analysts suggest that CSTO resembles a post-Soviet version of NATO, the alliance is different in its internal cooperation processes and results. However, the conditions and limits under which Moscow may count on the support of its allies are insufficiently studied. We hypothesize that Russia faces a specific cooperation problem since CSTO states may choose to support it only as long as it does not increase the risks to member states’ independence and sovereignty.