The OSCE “missions of long duration” in two former Soviet Republics in the Baltic region, Estonia and Latvia, focused extensively on securing citizenship and political rights for ethnic Russians residing in those states after they became independent in 1991. The OSCE engaged with both governments and representatives of the minority communities to enable those persons belonging to minorities, mostly ethnic Russians, who wished to remain in both countries to become citizens, which usually required attaining some level of competence in the national languages for the Russophone community. The OSCE missions also supervised the withdrawal of former Soviet military units from both countries and the removal of a Soviet radar station at Skrunda in Latvia. These efforts prevented a Russian intervention, potentially using military force, to protect the safety and political and economic rights of ethnic Russians in these two countries. Since these efforts ultimately proved successful, this case illustrates the value of OSCE engagement to prevent violent conflict in the aftermath of the political changes following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.