Russia withdraws from Cold War-era Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, NATO allies condemn move
Europe, News November 8, 2023 1 Comment on Russia withdraws from Cold War-era Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, NATO allies condemn moveRussia officially withdraws from Cold War-era arms control treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe on November 7, 2023. NATO Allies condemned Russia’s move that undermined Euro-Atlantic security.
The Treaty of Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) was signed in November 1990. The CFE prevented Cold War rivals from deploying armed forces at or near their mutual borders.
Russia blamed the United States for undermining regional security with the expansion of the NATO military alliance closer to Russian borders. In response, NATO Allies condemned Russia’s decision to withdraw from the treaty and said they would also suspend its operations.
According to the NATO statement, “Russia’s withdrawal is the latest in a series of actions that systematically undermines Euro-Atlantic security. Russia continues to demonstrate disregard for arms control, including key principles of reciprocity, transparency, compliance, verification, and host nation consent, and undermines the rules-based international order.”
North Atlantic Council Statement on the Allied response to Russia's withdrawal from the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe
— NATO (@NATO) November 7, 2023
Tap the image to read the statement ↓
The NATO Allies recognized the important role of the CFE for Euro-Atlantic security architecture, however, highlighted that “a situation whereby Allied States Parties abide by the Treaty, while Russia does not, would be unsustainable.”
The NATO statement highlighted that the Allies are committed to reducing military risks, and preventing misperceptions and conflicts, as well as striving to “build trust and confidence, based on key principles of transparency, compliance, verification, reciprocity, and host nation consent, thereby contributing to peace and security”.
NATO members also invited other states that share this commitment and these principles, to join its efforts and contribute to increasing predictability and stability in the Euro-Atlantic region.
“Allies remain united in their commitment to effective conventional arms control as a key element of Euro-Atlantic security, taking into account the prevailing security environment and the security of all Allies,” according to the NATO statement.
The military alliance also vowed to continue consultations and assess the implications of the current security environment and its impact on the security of the NATO Alliance. “Allies will make use of NATO as a platform for in-depth discussion and close consultation on arms control efforts,” the NATO statement added.
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