Conflict of Interests of the Council of Europe, EU and Russia in the Sphere of Protection of Human Rights and Promotion of Democracy

The article considers the interaction of the Council of Europe, EU and Russia in the sphere of the protection of human rights and the promotion of democracy. The author uses an institutional method, soft power method and the open method of coordination (OMC). Based on research in the framework of the institutional approach the author found a direct competition between the EU and the Council of Europe, taking place in the areas of human rights and democracy building. In the author's view, the use of soft power and the spread of Russian values with respect to human rights and democracy in Europe could be a solution of the problem. In order to solve the global challenges in Europe, the Council of Europe, EU and the Russian Federation can use the open method of coordination, if not in the short term, then in the long term.