The present study explores a selected group of post- Soviet states and their de jure accommodation of the Russian-speaking minority residing on their territory. More specifically the study aims to categorize the titular states of Latvia, Lithuania and Moldova in terms of their national legal framework pertaining to minorities along the continuum inclusive moderate exclusive. Furthermore, the present study analyses to what degree external factors such as Russian immigration in the Soviet period; Russia s near abroad policy towards the successor states; and the European organisations strategies...