Abstract
After the end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, NATO and Russia concluded that «they no longer regarded each other as adversaries» (NATO, 1997).They also soon began a gradual rapprochement. In 1997, the Founding Act was created, and in 2002, the NATO-Russia Council (NRC) was established. The aim of the NRC was to treat the actors as equal partners, build trust, practical cooperation and become the main forum for crisis and security consultation between NATO and Russia (NATO, 2002). Building on Karl Deutsch's (1961) theory, particular emphasis will be put on an incorporation of 'transaction density' and 'mutual responsiveness' as crucial characteristics for the NRC in forwarding a path towards a 'Security Community' between NATO and Russia. From 2002 to 2009, an assessment of whether or not the NRC has been a success will be presented.